THE VALLEY
Would you believe it,
in the Welsh wide beyond
there is a deep wooded valley
of moss and solitude,
steeped in mist and rain:
an ancient farming place of muddy tracks and streams,
Where gum-boots and tractors
are the lore;
old sheds amongst the woodland meadows
and veggie patches.
Also, elephants in a barn
and temple bells chiming:
children in puffa jackets pushing wheelbarrows
and goddesses in bright saris carrying babies in the rain.
What’s this? A sacred site
out of kilter with its origins,
yet so made home
in the great Mothers wild arms;
that fifty years ago, they found root
so all can now pilgrim here
along the pot-holey lanes
and find peace, sanctity, welcome -
even to come and die here, for free.
No-one should go without a hand to hold,
the smiling guru said.
11/04/24
Skanda Vale