Sunday, October 14, 2012

Norfolk




How did the Devil come? When first attack?
These Norfolk lanes recall lost innocence,
The years fall off and find me walking back
Dragging a stick along the wooden fence
Down this same path, where, forty years ago,
My father strolled behind me, calm and slow. 

I used to fill my hands with sorrel seeds
And shower him with them from the tops of the stiles,
I used to butt my head into his tweeds
To make him hurry down those languorous miles
Of ash and alder-shaded lanes, till here
Our moorings and the masthead would appear. 

There after supper lit by lantern light
Warm in the cabin I could lie secure
And hear against the polished sides at night
The lap lap lapping of the weedy Bure,
A whispering and watery Norfolk sound
Telling of all the moonlit reeds around. 

How did the Devil come? When first attack?
The church is just the same, though now I know
Fowler of Louth restored it. Time, bring back
The rapturous ignorance of long ago,
The peace, before the dreadful daylight starts,
Of unkept promises and broken hearts.

by John Betjeman  1906 - 1984



Image - The River Bure
Image - A Field Beside the River Bure
Please enlarge both images

58 comments:

  1. Wiersz jest tragiczny i smutny, a zdjęcie napawa spokojem. Pozdrawiam.
    The poem is tragic and sad, and the picture fills peace. Yours.

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  2. Very nice shots Dianne.

    Wish you all the best.

    kisses, Joop x

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  3. beautiful images Dianne !
    childhood is the best time
    in a life perhaps !
    wish you a nice new week
    bisous

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  4. Wonderful. Have a nice day, with warm greetings, Mirthe

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  5. What a wonderful educational field trip you have taken me on. First, I had never heard of this poet and his lovely poem. I had never heard of the Norfolk Broads and the Broads Authority either! I also learned that it was discovered that The Broads were man made waters, a result of peat harvesting and flooding during medieval times.
    Way cool, now I'm a smidgen less ignorant .. :)

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  6. Hello Dianne,
    beautiful images !
    and the story.

    Wish you all the best in this week
    for you and family,
    ^^
    big kisses and hugs

    ^^

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  7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emuVLVylBiA&feature=related

    this is for yoy my Friend!

    besos
    ^^

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  8. the sad reality crashes down around childhood memories. thank God for natures respite. Nice photos! We head into winter and you have your summer. I love that.

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  9. Amiga Dianne.Los Otoños con sus climas y colores,siempre fueron fuentes de inspiración a los poetas.
    Un fuerte abrazo

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  10. dear dianne,

    these are incredibly beautiful shots...i really enjoyed them.

    wonderful poem you paired with them.

    wishing a great day from start to finish and sending big hugs to you!

    xx

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  11. Hermoso poema, mi estimada amiga.
    Hay mucha nostalgia en este trabajo, nostalgia contagiosa.
    Saludo Afectuoso.

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  12. Thank you dear İzdihër , I am so pleased that you enjoyed this post.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  13. Thank you dear J Cosmo for your kind words.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  14. Gigadrodzy, dziękuję za komentarz, tak wiersz jest smutny, ale jest też szczęście, kiedy poeta spogląda do wspomnień z dzieciństwa.
    Ciepłe pozdrowienia mój przyjaciel.

    Giga dear, thank you for your comment, yes the poem is sad but there is also happiness when the poet looks back to the memories of his childhood.
    Warm greetings my friend.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  15. Thank you dear Joop for your kind words.
    Warm greetings and a kiss.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  16. Thank you dear Marty , yes, Norfolk is certainly a beautiful place.
    Perhaps childhood is the best time for some, perhaps for John Betjeman, though I think this poet was reminiscing about memories from his past, he seems to have had a successful life ... his style of writing seems to be a mix of nostalgia and humour.
    Wishes for a happy weekend.
    Bisous
    xoxoxo ♡

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  17. Thank you dear Mirthe for your kind words, warm greetings my friend.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  18. Thank you dear Diana for your kind words, I am so pleased that you enjoyed this post.
    Norfolk is a very beautiful place with its green landscapes and broads,
    I find it all interesting. There are many topographical features of the landscapes in the UK which I find fascinating. There are the broads, the Somerset Levels, the Fells, all beautiful in their own way.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  19. Thank you Elia dearest friend for your kind words and wishes, they are much appreciated, especially now.
    Thank you also for the link to the beautiful song "Somewhere", yes, I guess there is a place for all of us.
    besos y abrazos ^^
    xoxoxo ♡

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  20. Thank you dear chickory for your lovely words, yes, thank God for nature's beauty, it helps us to get through so much.
    Yes Norfolk is a very beautiful place.
    Summer awaits me here and you have your beautiful Winter and its snow to look forward to.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  21. Juan querido amigo, gracias, sí otoño y sus aromas leñosos, enfriador de aire y muchos colores han inspirado a muchos poetas.
    Un abrazo cálido.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  22. Thank you dear tossan , I am pleased that you enjoyed this post.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  23. Betty dear, thank you for your lovely comment, yes, Norfolk is a beautiful place, I chose these images to complement the poem.
    Wishing you a lovely weekend, many hugs.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  24. Estimado Rubén , gracias por sus palabras bonitas, sí, este poema es a la vez preciosa y nostálgico, pero por favor, no estés triste.
    Saludos afectuosos de mi amigo.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  25. Beautiful photos, I like that nice place and also the great poem. Greetings. I wish that your son recovers soon.
    Besos.

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  26. Desde el Otoño de mi tierra,le envio un fuerte abrazo a mi amiga poeta.
    Juan

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  27. I think this is one of the most vital information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

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  28. Amiga Dianne.Hacer fotografias en Otoño me ayuda a serenar mi espíritu.
    Celebro te sigan gustando
    Abrazos

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  29. Upon loss of innocence lost an essential part of happiness, and concerns are growing. Kisses.

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  30. My guess is that the devil came on a jet ski. Those things are obnoxious.

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  31. Oh thats lovely as always, you know how to impress us, its always a pleasure to passa here and be inspired ;)

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  32. Hello Dianne, hug
    very beautiful text and pictures!
    A big

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  33. °º✿♫
    Muito bonito.
    Boa semana!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil
    °º✿
    º° ✿♥ ♫° ·.

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  34. Te agradezco tus constancias en las entrada a mi blog de fantasias.
    Un fuerte abrazo.
    Juan




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  35. E ltiempo and love, two equations with innumerable variables.
    Besos.

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  36. my lovely Dianne,
    what wonderful words to a wonderful nature!

    I send you very best wishes and wish you a beautiful autumn!

    Love & Hugs
    Synke

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  37. You are amazing! lovely picture!

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  38. Amiga Dienne.Los poetas siempre intenta escribir en sus versos sus más intimos sentimientos,tu como poeta lo haces de la misma forma
    Un fuerte abrazo
    Juan

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  39. Los Otoños co sus mágicos colores
    son como paraisos para poetas y fotógrafos.
    Juan

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  40. Thank you dear Leovi for your kind words, yes it is a beautiful place ... thanks, my son is recovering.
    Besos
    xoxoxo ♡

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  41. Juan querido amigo, gracias por la gran abrazo.
    Un abrazo para ti también
    xoxoxo ♡

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  42. Thank you Women Care Services Jaipur for your kind words, keep up the good work!
    xoxoxo ♡

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  43. Juan querido amigo, las fotografías de otoño son hermosas e inspiradoras.
    Un fuerte abrazo
    xoxoxo ♡

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  44. Yes dear Leovi , the loss of innocense of our younger days makes us see the world in a whole different way.
    Besos
    xoxoxo ♡

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  45. Yes Pugsley my sweet, those jet skis are guaranteed to spoil any peaceful waterways, river or beach with their noise and the thoughtless people who drive them.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  46. Thank you dear Tiago for your lovely words, I am happy that you enjoyed this poem and the images.
    Beijos
    xoxoxo ♡

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  47. Obrigado querido Fernando , estou tão contente que você gostou deste post.
    Saudações meu amigo.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  48. Thank you dear Antonio for your kind words.
    A big hug!
    xoxoxo ♡

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  49. Caro Inês, obrigado por suas amáveis ​​palavras.
    Um bom fim de semana para você também meu amigo.
    beijos
    xoxoxo ♡

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  50. Usted es bienvenido querido Juan , disfruto de tus fantasías y fotografías.
    Un abrazo grande!
    xoxoxo ♡

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  51. Thank you dear Leovi , yes, so many variables.
    Besos
    xoxoxo ♡

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  52. Thank you my dear friend Synke for your kind words and wishes.

    I wish you a wonderful Autumn.

    Love and Hugs,
    Dianne.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  53. Thank you dear Art for your kind words, there is nothing amazing about me, this is not my poem, though I wish it was. :)

    xoxoxo ♡

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  54. Juan querido amigo, gracias por sus amables palabras ... este poema de Betjeman habla de los pensamientos y sentimientos de su infancia.
    Sí, los colores y los sentimientos de otoño son siempre inspirador para todos nosotros, especialmente los poetas.
    Un abrazo cálido
    xoxoxo ♡

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  55. Obrigada querida Morgan Nascimento por suas amáveis ​​palavras, sim eu vou visitar seu blog.
    xoxoxo ♡

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Please leave a comment, I look forward to reading them, they are always appreciated. ♡