Tuesday 28 August 2012






Goonzion downs

on this strange ground
I feel the generations before
what are these mounds and dips?
concealing lives from centuries of old?

lonely piece of moor
today cows with horses graze
I imagine people working here
from days of long ago

Romano-British castle, Bronze age
nearby Berry Tor 5500 years ago,
 densely populated hut circles
on these exposed, weather beaten downs

these long gone peoples
their presence felt today
undulating surface, this gruffy ground
layer upon layer, lives lived, expired, gone

this land was happened on by chance
accidental, unplanned, transient passing
isolated moorland powerful this feeling
captivates my soul

I felt this as never before
of history within the land beneath my feet
people were, now present,
will come tomorrow and tomorrow

Goonzion downs, now special in my heart




28 comments:

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I find it so inspiring to read someone's "reflections"...too many don't "see"...:)JP

Elephant's Child said...

And thanks to your images and words special in my heart as well. Thank you.

The Owl Wood said...

Thank you! Now that is a landscape - soggy, boggy and delicious. Impossible to stand in and not wax lyrical (and wax jacket).

Cuby said...

A Quiet Corner: I have always amazed at how many people look but don't see! Glad you enjoyed my thoughts.

Cuby said...

The Elephant's Child: So pleased you enjoyed sharing with me this extraordinary and inspirational place.

Cuby said...

The Owl Wood: This landscape was amazing and that this was a busy, highly populated place in the Bronze age and earlier, mind blowing!

Moving with Mitchell said...

And now special in mine, as well!

Cuby said...

Mitchell is Moving: The feeling that this place emanated had to be shared, so great we could.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

You make me want to bend down to touch the grass and imagine the past.

Cuby said...

Lisa@ Two Bears Farm: That would be so great if that were possible, how many opportunities would arise each time on going out! :)

Doris said...

I don't know the Downs but the poem conjures up vivid pictures. One day I shall see if they are right.

Cuby said...

Doris: Come to Cornwall and I will take you.

Al said...

Very pretty, both the photos and the poem. It makes me think of Tolkien's Barrow-Downs.

Cuby said...

Al: It was another worldly place - great comparison. Thanks for lovely comments.

Jim said...

Me too! Thanks so much for this! I would love to experience the energy on this moor.....come to think of it, I did! You nailed this one.

Cuby said...

Jim: Second hand energy is nearly but not quite as good as first hand so glad you could feel it through the words.

Viola said...

A very lovely and interesting poem and I love your photos besides!
Yes, who were all these people in a distance past.. I's exciting thoughts.. and they go on and on and on.. layers by layers..

A lovely day to you! :)

Cuby said...

Viola: Your comments are thoughtful and so appreciated. :)

Crafty Green Poet said...

what an interesting landscape!

Cuby said...

Crafty Green Poet: I felt compelled to stop then write about it!

Anonymous said...

I could feel the old ones peeking out between the words in your poem, Claire. I remembering being in Europe at age 18 and feeling how old everything felt compared to American soil.

Cuby said...

upwoods: As you say the 'old' is everywhere just below the surface but this place the feel of it was so strong I had to try and share it.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I feel quite nostalgic now!

Cuby said...

Welshcakes: Oh dear just enjoy it!!

DeniseinVA said...

Very special indeed, such a lovely post!

Cuby said...

DeniseinVA: Across the miles this special place seems to be conveyed. Thanks Denise.

Lady Mondegreen's Secret Garden said...

That realisation of a Landscape's deep habitation is both humbling and awesome I find. Great evocation.

Cuby said...

Lady M.:So often you know that people were here before but the evidence was so obvious it just shouted at you. Thanks for your positive comment.