This was our first break away from home since the start of the Winter lockdown. The Lake District campsite, where we stayed, was full of very happy adults and children in very holiday spirits. Lockdown, it seems, has not made us forget how to have fun. On Saturday evening Sarah and I walked down to Ullswater lakeside with our cameras and took a few photos as the sun slowly set. I forgot my pen and notebook so I just sat and watched the evening descend. It was a magical time. When I got back to the campervan I scribbled down the poem below. I think it’s a bit melancholic maybe, but in a positive sort of way. Let me know what you think.
An Ullswater Reflection
Ullswater lake was there as usual
we stood by dead trees
and watched waterthe tumbling sun was just above
the mountain opposite
skimming light on ripples in front
of our feetwe watched that too
until the chill moved us on just as far
as fallen wood smoothed by trousers and skirtswe sat watching time speed past
thinking about journeys to places like this
from fading photos in frames
and houses that needs redecoratingthe sun becomes less round
as it hits the mountain
and a cloud grows darknight sends us home to boil water
tea is no place to sink a day
but tea is all we are left with
Stephen R K Fender
and my pen
that wasn’t even there
