John Keats - 1795-1821

John Keats - 1795-1821
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing …

Tuesday 15 May 2007

THE POWER AND THE GLORY


Was it our dear Kitty who mentioned where she would like to be finally.

Mine would have to be Salle, it is a favourite of Norfolk Church enthusiasts, isolated, wild and vast. Pronounced Saul, it booms out to travellers across the Norfolk plain like an architectural foghorn..


The Church was rebuilt in the 15th century, rather than use cheap local flint, it was paid for using costly Barnack stone from Peterborough, this was the generosity of the Uffords, Mautebys, Morleys, and Brewes, and they were duly blessed for their contributions with two feathered angels waving censers over their coat of arms above the west door.

The church is more of a Cathedral, and the view from it's window over the Norfolk countryside on a clear winter evening, is one of utter tranquility.


The Church of England is the true Museum of England, and it's buildings should be more treasured as a result. Every breeze that blows over a meadow is said to leave some memory of it's passing in the lie of the grass.


I have wrote a poem to go here with my blog.


HEAVEN ON EARTH


The summer sky of blinding sun

Gone the cold winter has passed

From it's fury, so that I

Could bask, and embrace it's warmth,

My task well done.


In a garden, where birds of beauty

Take it's flight,

My soul lays with my love

Beneath the soil, where light in darkness lies

In Paradise, of his delight.


Till the moon rises, and dark clouds sleep

Keep me wrapped in arms of thine,

Where endless days

In nature's wood, I dance with thee,

My heart is yours, my love divine.


30 comments:

Inthemud said...

Dear Camilla, Your poem is so beautiful, you are very talented!

I do not know Salle Church, but it spounds impressive, I too love old churches, as a child I used to ride my bike around Norfolk witha friend and we'd go looking at churches and graveyards.

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

You are a talented lady.

Suffolkmum said...

You are really talented, that was a lovely moving poem. I don't know that church, but I love those soaring Norfolk churches that loom on the horizon. Gorgeous.
PS you asked me ages ago if I was over by Woodbridge - I'm actually on the other side of Suffolk, near Bury St Edmunds.

Un Peu Loufoque said...

How charming Camilla.

Blossomcottage said...

Beautiful poem, will written thank you.
Blossom

Inthemud said...

What a coincidence your cat being Pepsi too, but you call her Flopsy bunny!

Please don't worry anymore about the taxidermist, I guess she must have moved, it was 2004 last time we saw her. I think if she was still around people would know about her as it is an unusual trade!

muddyboots said...

talking about churches being visible from great distances. this is the case with both Beverley & York Minsters. They are still imposing sights now, what must our medeaval ancesnters have thought?

Eden said...

You have made me want to visit Salle, so beautiful it sounds. There is something wonderful about those amazing Norfolk churches. I know they are a financial burden on many rural parishes, but they are also a real national treasure. I have no idea where I'd like to be. I think that says something about my not having really found my home yet.

thanks for asking about the projects. Still hammering away at them. Have to stop the book now for awhile bec. have to write two papers for a conference in USA. Will get back from that beginning of June then can finish the book. THEN can start posting new blogs.

countrymousie said...

I do know this Church - and your poem is wonderful - you are a very talented and you must keep writing. love mousie

Cait O'Connor said...

A beautiful poem. Do you write a lot of poetry? Are you in a writing group? I guess this is one!
I don't have one favourite poet, do you?
I love Yeats of course.
I am the one you wrote to about the fairies pic by the way.
I'm glad you like my music.
I will find that church when I visit Norfolk. I have a stepson living in Norfolk but I have not been there yet myself.
I would liked to be buried in a wood.
Caitx

bodran... said...

It looks a splendid church,.

CAMILLA said...

Oh Cait,
That sounds wonderful, I can see those Blubells all planted around you.
Camilla.x

Kitty said...

What a gorgeous poem - and a lovely church too.

I'm so sorry to hear your grandson's being bullied. It is utterly unacceptable and the school needs to give the bully one to one adult supervision, which is what I'm doing at our school at the moment until it 'blows over', if it does.

A change of school may be a good thing if it's an ongoing problem and there's another good school nearby. We have two girls at our school who were badly bullied elsewhere and they are happy and settled now and their confidence has just blossomed, so it does work.

I really feel for your family, and your grandson. How sad for him, if it's the same one in the pic he looks such a happy, friendly boy too.

Sending you love and a big hug.

Kitty x

Pondside said...

If that is Salle Church it is truly a beautiful place - I'd choose it too!
What a lovely poem that was - very peaceful.

Exmoorjane said...

So beautiful - both the church and your poem.....very lovely writing, dear Camilla.
Janexx

Woozle1967 said...

Wonderful, Camilla, so beautiful.x

Exmoorjane said...

Dear Camilla - thank you so much for your kind suggestions re publishers. I think I need an agent first...it's really tough to get read by publishers unless you submit through an agent. Dorling Kindersley are great but only really do very highly illustrated factual books.....aaah, I'll get there one day!

Milla said...

Oh no! I don't want to think about when I die, with time rattling past so quickly I fear, that in Blink Of An Eye terms, it will be this weekend. Great poem.

Frances said...

Hello Milla, and thanks for your comments.
I am soooo tired tonight that I cannot reply very well, but did want to let you know that I do appreciate hearing from you.
xo

annakarenin said...

Thoughtful poem.

I was on the PCC in my old village and our parish church (one of 3 that were part of the community) has some of the oldest church records in the country it is also in an absolutely fantastic setting but the finacial burden to maintain them is horrendous and with falling and aging congregations one by one we will loose them.

Faith said...

I love your title - The Power and the Glory. I love it when you see a church with a plaque 'for the Glory of God'. Your poem was just what I needed to read. I especially liked the last bit. I always enjoy churches and am a bit jealous that the C of E ones are usually the best!

Faith said...

PS Camilla, I've come back bringing an angel card for William as requested. I can't lie. I picked 'humour'. It doesnt seem at all appropriate in the circumstances but maybe you can see more in it than me. I hope so. x

Frances said...

Hello to you, Camilla,
Hoping that you do, as I do, drop in from time to time to see comments on your blog.
Thanks for your comments.
Way, way back ... decades we are talking of, I did actually think that I would be an artist that exhibited and and would be favored by collectors.
So many decades ago, but it can seem like yesterday!
I did exhibit my works, did sell some. (Am in some collections, but it does seem like a lifetime ago.)
Always, for me,it was more important to be independent (having turned down 3.5 ... the .5 is quite important) proposals. And to try to live in the present tense.
I was raised in the southern part of the States, where much of the earlier century was celebrated. I wanted to live in the 1960's, not the 1860's, when I graduated from college and moved to New York, in 1967.
So many years later, perhaps I am still fleeing a family tradition that I do not admire, or share.
New York is a difficult city in which to survive. (The song about "If you can make it here, etc.") All the same, it is still a good place for a single woman with artistic aspirations or empathies, to live.
I realize now that I will never really get to create something that I would be proud to exhibit, but also am still young enough to still want to be creative.
Gosh. What a very long comment.
But, I am so glad to have connected with you. Please do continue to write!
xo

Frances said...

Another good evening from New York to you Camilla,

You are quite welcome to come and help me out any time that you are in the vicinity! Promise.

We need to see a new blog from you, do we not?

If I sound a bit crisp, it is because I am still trying to figure out how to have enough able staff in the shop this week while I go to managers meeting (if I do go) and while my assistant is at home resting prior to baby the first.

I will stop...almost did, can you believe I still have not found time to read the L. Woolfe bio?

I suspect that true managers do find time for such pleasures.

Cheers.

xo

mountainear said...

Lovely words. Could somebody set them to music for you?

lixtroll said...

Camilla!!! Your poem is absolutely beautiful! I am going to read it again and again you wonderful person x

Grouse said...

Dont know which is more beautiful, the church or the poem. You are so talented, C.

Inthemud said...

Hi Camilla,

Just dropping in to see how you're bearing up. How is hubby? Is he still in hospital? What are they doing? Did they put the stent in?

Anyway, just to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Warmest wishes
dear Camilla.

Elaine X

CAMILLA said...

Thank you to everyone who left comments, and thank you for your concern.
Camilla.x

Anonymous said...

Oh Camilla ..I have just read your poem for the place in Selle...it was so wonderful....you are very talented indeed Camilla...please write some more ,i noticed you have not entered any posts in your blog latley, are you alright?...I know we speak on the night chat ,but,I do have a sence that something is worrying you,I hope I am wrong...I will always be here to talk to Camilla as are all of us...at anytime .....
i just thought of a way to share some pictures ,I dontmind giving you my e-mail, but if you could delete it from this message oncee you have written it down please...
It is ( kathpark@blueyonder.co.uk )....I hope you keep in touch and are well...hugs obm...