William Barton

February fills dikes, overflows fields
and streams, turns paths to slippery ooze.
Petulant winds crease the surface of the lake
and agitate the fast flowing river.
...

This is the tree where you carved your name
at the junction of three woodland pathways,
hoping to be part of its long living.
...

Setting out in the morning,
Under a bright winter sky,
Sunshine filters through bare branches,
casting rich pools of golden light.
...

ind over water,
stream over stone.

Trees are shivering
in gusty cornfields
- green over liquid gold.
...

'If' is a word
I often choose;
A golden key
I often use.
...

In the cool of the evening
a fox lies here in the long grass
under the blossoming apple trees.
He keeps guard as the stars
...

From the east, grey clouds
Scout the sky, occupy the horizon.
Chillingly, efficiently,
Barrages of hail and rain
...

Spring, this term,
Is quite up to the standard required by the Board,
Notwithstanding occasional periods of non-attendance.
Has been awarded a pass in the following: -
...

In gathering mist, the path leads down
from grassy hill-top, sure-footed
through maze of bracken trails, confidently
skirting hidden rocks and slippery streams;
...

Through the gate
And over the stile
Curlews calling,
Lapwings tumble.
...

The Council proposes to stop up and enclose
The following thoroughfares: -
Turkey Lane, Lathbury Road,
Llandaff Street, St Mary's Street,
...

A damp and dreary day for walking;
Still and cold with fine rain falling.
Mist swirls round shadowy barns,
hiding walls, fields and fell side.
...

Doubtful, in cold winter ground,
they hide your fragile form -
hardly more than dust itself-
hoping the mysteries
...

My fragile memorial flowers
Shiver in the darkening breeze.
And my two sad candles -
Tearfully reflected
...

Bubbles…
Clear water
oozing
through grass
...

Founded in stone and water,
Its tough old bark deeply scored
By disputations of wind and rain.
Gargoyle limbs writhe and twist
...

On the Middlewood Way the festival of May has almost ended -
white and pink blossom replaced by crimson clover,
spindly dog daisies, blue forget-me-nots, fox-gloves, and king-cups.
...

Born on a croft, your forefathers
dug peat and potatoes.
As for you, a lifetime in the pit,
harvesting the black gold.
...

In York there is a castle,
Its name is Clifford's Tower.
Around the hill the traffic swirls
And passes hour by hour.
...

Train passing winter grey fields
With impromptu pools reflecting greyer skies;
Passing fallow fields, homeless hedges
And empty skeleton trees.
...