大象传媒

This story was added to the People's War Site by a volunteer from Radio Newcastle on behalf of Vera Kulkarni. Vera Kulkarni is fully aware of the site's terms and conditions, and this story was added to the site with her permission.

Green

When I was a child,
I would lie on the ground
and feel the Earth
live and breathe
through the green grass,
a zillion green leaves.

And Herdwick sheep suckled
lambs in the fold, nuzzled
their new woollen coats.

I stood on the sward
on my small bare feet
and that playful Earth
would tickle my toes
with the finest blades
of Cumberland turf,
just like a mother.

In meadows cows were lowing
to new-born calbes, learning
to stand on shiny hooves

And when I climbed
to the roof of the Combe
the collies followed me.
I'd fill my lungs with sky
and fling out "Annie Laurie",
her lilting lyric,
into the mists of summer.

The kesterl hawk
hovered above her nest,
saw beaks gape red and yellow.

And if I were lost,
then I would rest
on Earth's warm breast
to feel the strength
of that great breast,
to hear the pulsing
of her wide, wide heart.

And I was at peace
with the beasts of the field.

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