Here is a poem, inspired by Edward Thomas (Adlestrop) and all the poor souls who have perished for our freedom, reflecting on, despite all our moans, how lucky our generation really are.

It was while waiting to photograph Duchess of Sutherland in beautiful mid September sunshine at Waitby on the Settle and Carlise Railway. We had all afternoon to wait, laying in a field soaking up the suns rays. Then shortly before she was due, the wind changed, it went black. The cows ran to shelter under trees as they knew what was to come next. We had a downpour as Duchess went by.

I WAITED AT WAITBY

Waitby, yes I remember

Wontedly, I waited

One afternoon of heat

It was mid September

In a field, watching on high

Lonely cloudlets in the sky

Dry stone walls and dry grass

Still 3 hours for the train to pass

The sunlight glinting off the line

Reflecting

Moving to find

Where the loco will shine

Farther, sounds of Duchess in full cry

Then, mistier, the wind was bringing

Black clouds that filled the sky

Blackbirds stopped singing

No whit could ever forget

Riverlets drowning the clover

Meadowsweet, haycocks and cameras wet

Tripods blown over

Cows ran for shelter, bereft

Their breaths as if smoked

Duchess came and we were left

Without photos, just soaked

© Alan Weaver,

Killamarsh Village Idiot.