Under Threat

the courtyard of loddon brewery is buzzing
bench tables and seating packed
with families
taking advantage of the april sun
and blue blanket sky

against a backdrop of green farm fields
extending to the horizon
the last of the seasons bluebells
in thick clumps
along the lane alive with country
hedgerows

we raise our glasses clink-clink
filled to the brim with hullabaloo
a rich amber
and soak up the ambience

make the most of it i say
all this could be frittered away
by the shadows of developers before long
blocking out the light

yes our farm fields are under threat
a black cloud of what happens next
if that doesn’t vex you
i don’t know what will

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

I can relate to this one. The city in which I live was once a rural county, and now the once broad fields are being snapped up to make room for apartments and condominiums. Traffic has increased tremendously. Something is being gained, but something is also being lost.

[Chris Shaw]

The losses seem to outweigh the gains. Thank you John for finding this poem relatable. Have a great Tuesday.

Chris

[Desert Knave]

Beautiful write. Yes, many places that we can take for granted now will soon just be parking lots and large buildings. ~Jim

[Chris Shaw]

It’s such a sad thought Jim. Thank you kindly for a lovely review. Have a great Tuesday.

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

Bright and grounded—you hold the warmth of the scene while letting a quiet unease creep in at the edges.
The grit is in that shift beneath the sunshine: celebration sitting right beside the fear of what’s coming next.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Thomas.

Chris

[red93]

Love this Chris, it has the genuine 100% ambience of rural England. If ever you fancy a visit to one of the many Excellent Pubs in Oxford City itself, I highly recommend the Turf Tavern, just down the road from New College on Holywell Street. Used extensively in the filming of Inspector Morse. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony, we are planning a visit to Oxford soon and I loved Inspector Morse and have the whole series which I still watch from time to time. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[red93]

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You tickle my poetry fancy. And I get to visualize so much of what Britain looks, sounds and feels like reading your words.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Such a lovely compliment j. I am so pleased to be able to share a little of England with you. Such lovely places, but the threat from developers is never far away.

Chris

[William Kremer]

Definitely feel this, where I live has been rampantly developing for about 2 decades now and it's taken most of our prime Ag land..there's no sign of it stopping anytime soon either.

[Chris Shaw]

I feel your pain. This possible development fills me with dread. Thank you William for stopping by.

Chris

[Soren]

I have watched so much change in the development of society. All that I recognized and remembered gone. This piece hits hard Chris

[Chris Shaw]

It’s hitting me hard too Soren to think a favourite place may become a memory. Thank you so much for your words.

Chris

[Soren]

You are most welcome Chris

[tranquilspace]

Such wonderful work, there’s a lot of word play. Yet, it doesn’t take away from the wonderful piece.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly for leaving your warm words. Have a lovely day.

Chris