An Irish Country Road
So today, try writing a poem that describes a place, particularly in terms of the animals, plants or other natural phenomena there. Sink into the sound of your location, and use a conversational tone. Incorporate slant rhymes (near or off-rhymes, like “angle” and “flamenco”) into your poem. And for an extra challenge – don’t reference birds or birdsong!
Yes, there are still places like this
More than you would think, though easy to miss
Far from the national rail networks
Though some lie amidst ruins of a British made one
Thick grass marking the middle of the road
The delicate squeak of a shrew
That would fit easily along your baby finger
And now it has disappeared
Stuck to the bottom of car tyre?
Clikety-clack of horse hoofs
A troupe of holidy makers
A barking of dog, warning the horses
Your time is almost up
Take shelter before the rain arrives
The baaing of sheep, ever present
And the buzz of sheep shearer
If you listen closely
Echos through the valley
All sounds underpinning
The fundamental silence
Of the country road
