The last week has been a bag of mixed fortunes weather-wise. Thursday we thought that spring had arrived. The sun shone and was even warm sheltered from the gentle breeze. I awoke (at about 7 a.m.) to the most amazing sunrise with old Sol creeping up over the Lawley Hill and setting the sky on fire! Although the occurrence of a ‘red sky in the morning’ is usually not a good omen for the day ahead, in this case it proved otherwise!
The rhyme: ‘Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight, Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning,’ is one of those utterances which stems back to my childhood, (and of course well beyond that!). It’s one of the ‘old country sayings’ which accompanied my dad especially, throughout his rural encompassed life.
Sunrise Over the Lawley
Deep behind sprawling Lawley Hill
In Shropshire’s countryside,
Towards true East in growing light
My new day bursts alive.
Blackbird awakening, warns his world,
Sol’s spirit is soon to rise,
Creeping horizontally,
Shy, early worm’s demise.
Black silhouetted trees salute,
Contrast hot, scarlet scene,
Brushstrokes of crimson paint out night,
Timely to intervene.
Rich solar palette furls, unfolds,
Reds, yellow, orange, blues,
Turquoise, navy, sapphire, sea,
Perpetual shades and hues.
Clouds trapped within this canvas bold
Suspend their timeless quest,
White, picot edged, frilled vapour trails
Ape elastic, over-stretched.
Each second brings new images
As daylight filters through,
Scarlet dilutes to salmon pink,
Royal to softest blue.
Fabled, feathered finale fades,
Thrush’s baton calms his choir,
Lightening sky dims colours bright,
Pouring morning on the fire.
Woodpecker drums, proclaiming dawn!
Another day begins!
Life-giving orb of brilliance soars,
As around her warmth, Earth spins.
Thanks for your time! Speak soon!
The Bumpkin Rambler xx
