The Recluse
I am an inland man-
Not for me vast oceans
Or unpredictable seas.
I am content to stay
In my lowly cottage
At the leafy lane’s end
Where no one passes by.
Here I watch the seasons
Content by winter’s fire
With my favourite books
‘Til the first celandine
Heralds approaching spring.
When dappled sunshine lights
The greening tunnelled lane
Soon. white garlic and bluebells
Will deck that same dark lane
Hedged in with ancient trees.
The old horse chestnut tree,
Sentinel at the lane’s end.
In spring’s pink candles decked;
Below, bee- buzzed foxgloves
Bend from the hedgerow bank
I am content to watch
The seasons ebb and flow
Each night I thank my maker
For the joy of simple things.
© Arthur F Mylam
