Poem 687 – Summer’s Passing

Nov 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

The river mourns, bedraggled willows weep,
their tousled hair drenched in its silent tears.
Its darkened waters meet the dreary mood,
the sun withholds its glow in sympathy.
Otters frolic no more and stay indoors,
above autumnal leaves begin to fall.
The rushes twitch, and coots peer out, as below
their doors the heavy cortege wearily flows.
Perched on his lonely post, dressed in funereal
black, the cormorant bows, pays his respects.
A lowly swan takes flight and passing honks,
‘Alas our green and pleasant land is dead!’

By the end of our walk the sun had come out, but much of our morning stroll had a very different character.
(01.11.25)

© Ben Quant 2025

Poem 686 – The Vigil

Oct 31, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

Suspended, still and silent,
the spider hung all evening,
a single silken thread
secured him to the spot.

Patiently he waited, watching
with alien eyes, all eight,
hopefully focused upon us,
wondering when to leap.

But as the evening ended
the arachnid remained alert,
where, we retired praying,
he would remain all night.

I’ve spent the second night ironing, aware that all evening, someone hung behind me.
(31.10.25)

© Ben Quant 2025

Poem 680 – Season’s End

Oct 25, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

The crest of winter creeps across the land.
Soon will come the crenellations of white
that edge the fringes of the frozen fields
andd lace the country lanes with a glistening sheen.

We walk. Fingers unused to the cold welcoming
the warmth afforded by coat pockets when thrust
into their hidden depths. Despite the carpet
of autumnal leaves, the light’s subdued, dialled down.

Our conversation hushed, we huddle close
contemplating the coming chill. Even
the birds are so, as summer songs are silenced.
The world draws in and waits for winter’s veil.

We shared an enjoyable walk this morning. The sun is out today, but the signs are there that the seasons are turning.
(25.10.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Sue Winston on Unsplash

Poem 675 – Opposites Attract

Oct 20, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

Fireworks exploding in the rain,
their light and sound juxtaposing
elements, colour and culture.
Diwali elbows Guy Fawkes in
the ribs, in riotous celebration.

It’s the first time I’ve heard Diwali fireworks on an autumnal English evening.
(20.10.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Elisha Terada on Unsplash

Poem 667 – Eternal Horizons

Oct 12, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

Back to the flat country
The land of black peat soil,
eternal horizons and hanging
mist. The womb that bore me.
Of tumbling buildings and ditches.
Of endless skies that leave us
falling into the view.
A dreamscape that still haunts me.

Returned to the Cambridgeshire fens today.
(12.10.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo public domain by Dr Border at English Wikipedia

Poem 661 – The Nottingham Coast

Oct 6, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

This gentle green descends towards the horizon
which laps around its edge in waves of cloud.
Surprisingly, the playful sun is out, its
autumnal heat washes over us,
awakening birds that shriek in joyful play.
We walk, my father and I, along the hedgerows
reaching like groynes into the fields, alert
to fungi, berries and other harvest gifts.
Strolling along this Nottingham coast we let
it roll over our toes with grateful thanks.

Dad and I went for a delightful walk in the Nottingham countryside today, regretting in the surprisingly summer-like weather.
(06.10.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Ries Bosch on Unsplash

Poem 656 – Jane Goodall

Oct 1, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

You helped us look into their eyes
And see ourselves reflected there,
As kindred spirits, a common gaze
That arcs across the DNA.

And through your long and patient study
We saw the nuance of their lives,
From using tools and forging bonds,
To waging war and playing games.

We learnt with you that we are not
As alone as once we thought we were,
And heard the call to extend our care
To these our long lost sisters, brothers.

I’m saddened to hear of the death of Dame Jane Goodall, such a significant scientist and advocate for the protection of our fellow creatures.
(01.10.25)

Poem 652 – Old Man of the Lake

Sep 27, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

Bespectacled and precariously perched upon a branch,
he sits and waits until it’s time. Skillfully
striking, he winds his prey to shore then flaps
away, a lumbering flight of bone and grey.

On an afternoon walk today we realised a heron, a bird that always demands attention.
(27.09.25)

Poem 646 – Still Hidden

Sep 21, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

The satisfaction of weary muscles
Arising from an afternoon’s gardening,
Clearing away the brambles and branches,
In hope of finding a patch of Eden.

I’ve spent a bit of time tackling the out of sight bits of the garden this weekend, very therapeutic in the midst of a busy season.
(21.09.25)

Poem 645 – Come and Rest

Sep 20, 2025Jan 5, 2026 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

Sometimes, it’s good to stop and while away
some time in nothing’s welcome hands and rest,
to idle like a river at the behest
of no one but the lazy flow, and play
in gentle eddies, splashing like a child.

These leisurely delights appear so mild,
belying the strength that lies beneath the surface,
accumulated over years of mirth,
as our habitual sabbath play gives guile
to stand despite the force of whim and toil.

This rhythmic life provides enriching soil,
the necessary nutrients for growth,
sink in your roots and deeply drink to clothe
yourselves with crowning leaves and trunk, a royal
oak. Come rest and leave behind the fray.

Reading Edith Wharton’s poem’ Elegy’, I thought I’d try and write something that used the same rhyming form. After another busy week, something on rest seemed appropriate.
(20.09.25)

Ode for the Day

An experiment in poetic doodling

Natural World