Many congratulations to our very own Claire Barracliffe who won the poetry competition at the recent Methodist Festival of talents.
Here it is in full for your pleasure.
By the Waters
She gave me a single, silver leaf,
From the branch of the willow tree;
As it bowed down to touch the pool
Of the tears that were both her and me.
She smiled as I gave her my blessing;
She sang as I looked on her heart;
She danced on the bank by the willow tree
And wept when she knew we must part.
But I can go back to the willow tree;
To the place where I found that lost child;
I can speak kind words and reclothe her
And she will not be betrayed or beguiled.
Her rags are no longer her garment,
She has something more fitting to wear
And the shame and the grief that subsumed her
Are held in the love and the care
Of another, who offers her blessing,
Another, who knows we must part,
Another who weeps as I weep by that tree,
Another, both child and apart.
So I will go down to the willow tree,
Where the branches dip guileless to see;
I’ll bear my silver leaf in my hair,
As it drops gold in the pool by that tree
© Claire Barracliffe
Congratulations Claire.