A walk in Hagley park
I Walk into an oasis of peace within the
beating heart of Christchurch city.
I enter where a lake stretches at my feet
A stairway to heaven rises from the water
as my mind dives into another dimension
and dappled light dances on dust
Soul soothing air drifts among
gnarled and wrinkled trees
Their energy lingering,
Their looks suited to the season;
sprigs spun with lush leaves
transform in rusty red and amber
then denuded and open armed
finally full off flamboyant floral frills
A carpet of green is rolled out over the park
framed by magnolia’s and begonia’s
The rose garden dotted
with red, pink and purple hues
I zoom into the curling petals huddling
around the stem of the red rose
and fragrance full of promises
penetrates my senses
The Avon river hugs the park
It’s long arms holding the bobbing boats
Splashing sounds and waves of laughter
creates a melody of joy
The peacock looks in approval from
the fountain overflowing with
singing water and serene calmness
beating heart of Christchurch city.
I enter where a lake stretches at my feet
A stairway to heaven rises from the water
as my mind dives into another dimension
and dappled light dances on dust
Soul soothing air drifts among
gnarled and wrinkled trees
Their energy lingering,
Their looks suited to the season;
sprigs spun with lush leaves
transform in rusty red and amber
then denuded and open armed
finally full off flamboyant floral frills
A carpet of green is rolled out over the park
framed by magnolia’s and begonia’s
The rose garden dotted
with red, pink and purple hues
I zoom into the curling petals huddling
around the stem of the red rose
and fragrance full of promises
penetrates my senses
The Avon river hugs the park
It’s long arms holding the bobbing boats
Splashing sounds and waves of laughter
creates a melody of joy
The peacock looks in approval from
the fountain overflowing with
singing water and serene calmness
So beautiful a scene! You took me there in no time. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteThis is beautifully written Marja.
ReplyDeleteThanks Old egg
DeleteYou painted a heavenly picture with words and the stairway jutting out of the water in the photograph is a dive into a new dimension where any fantastical thing is possible.
ReplyDeleteOhh this is so beautiful!!💖 Especially love; "A carpet of green is rolled out over the park framed by magnolia’s and begonia’s/The rose garden dotted with red, pink and purple hues."😊
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sanaa
DeleteIsn't it amazing what you can see when you take the time to walk through a park? The same sights from a bicycle would look totally different--a blur.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree :)
DeleteEvocative images, Marja. I'm taken into the vibrant, into the calm.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan
DeleteVery descriptive. Thank you for taking me there.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
https://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2019/06/26/walk/
Thanks it is a beautiful park
DeleteWhat a beautiful spot for recharging one's batteries. I was glad to read the explanation of the stairway to heaven structure. I was wondering what that was.
ReplyDeleteOh Sherry we are very blessed to have such a park My favourites are the enormous old trees
DeleteWhat gorgeous imagery captured by your words! And that stairway to heaven, is a thing of beauty.
ReplyDeleteThanks and yes I love that sculpture They have to clean it often as the birds strike down on it
DeleteHi Marja - I'm so pleased the Park is giving solace ... Christchurch has really experienced a lot of grief in recent years ... your poem is delightful ... clever lady. That sculpture is stunning ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Yes the first thing we did after the earthquake was going to the park as that was the only thing unchanged and beautiful. During the grieve recently there was a sea of flowers laid at the park. It became a pilgrimage site
DeleteHow wonderful that the peacock can look on all with serene calmness.
ReplyDeleteThanks yes the peacock sits there in peace on top of a fountain or there are actually 3 of them I think :)
DeletePicture and poem both suggest a wonderful oasis of beauty and tranquillity.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by the name of the park. In Tasmania, where I grew up, there is a town called Hagley. It seems that the man who named it was connected with Hagley Hall in England. I wonder if there is some similar connection for Hagley Park; not a name I come across often.
That could well be Rosemary as Christchurch is a very English city You come along many words of English heritage like street names
DeleteThe park has a lake, a fountain, and is 'hugged' by a river - in one word, water. Water is life, beauty and tranquillity and together with the existing flora and fauna turns the park into the oasis mentioned by you in the very first line of the poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks and "Water is life, beauty and tranquillity" sounds poetic to me You should try write one
DeleteLovely poem and photo. We must get down there one day.
ReplyDeleteYou must IF so get in touch :)
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacoba
DeleteWell done! Lovely imagery.
ReplyDeleteYour words are a delight. My favourite lines
ReplyDelete"promises penetrates my senses
The Avon river hugs the park "
Happy you dropped by my blog to read mine
Much❤🕊❤love
A walk and respite from the city. It feels beautifully calming.
ReplyDeleteA soul soothing piece, no doubt, Marja! Beautiful...
ReplyDeleteWell done! Sounds like bliss.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous poem, Marja. I fell in love with that third stanza!
ReplyDeleteThere is something so zen about this beautiful witness to a wonderful walk. I love the alliteration of these lines, especially:
ReplyDelete"dives into another dimension
and dappled light dances under my feet"
Your poem is a delight to the senses.. :-) Beautifully descriptive..
ReplyDeleteLoved my time hear Marja reading your excellent words my friend.. Sending Love and well wishes..
Take care my friend. Love Sue <3