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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Jan 2010 : 14:44:01
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Just for a breath of fresh air,might be of interest to somebody,makes a change from religion and politics anyway 
The South Country
by Hilaire Belloc 1870 - 1953
When I am living in the Midlands
That are sodden and unkind,
I light my lamp in the evening:
My work is left behind;
And the great hills of the South Country
Come back into my mind.
The great hills of the South Country
They stand along the sea;
And it's there walking in the high woods
That I could wish to be,
And the men that were boys when I was a boy
Walking along with me.
The men that live in North England
I saw them for a day:
Their hearts are set upon the waste fells,
Their skies are fast and grey;
From their castle-walls a man may see
The mountains far away.
The men that live in West England
They see the Severn strong,
A-rolling on rough water brown
Light aspen leaves along.
They have the secret of the Rocks,
And the oldest kind of song.
But the men that live in the South Country
Are the kindest and most wise,
They get their laughter from the loud surf,
And the faith in their happy eyes
Comes surely from our Sister the Spring
When over the sea she flies;
The violets suddenly bloom at her feet,
She blesses us with surprise.
I never get between the pines
But I smell the Sussex air;
Nor I never come on a belt of sand
But my home is there.
And along the sky the line of the Downs
So noble and so bare.
A lost thing could I never find,
Nor a broken thing mend:
And I fear I shall be all alone
When I get towards the end.
Who will there be to comfort me
Or who will be my friend?
I will gather and carefully make my friends
Of the men of the Sussex Weald;
They watch the stars from silent folds,
They stiffly plough the field.
By them and the God of the South Country
My poor soul shall be healed.
If I ever become a rich man,
Or if ever I grow to be old,
I will build a house with deep thatch
To shelter me from the cold,
And there shall the Sussex songs be sung
And the story of Sussex told.
I will hold my house in the high wood
Within a walk of the sea,
And the men that were boys when I was a boy
Shall sit and drink with me.
("Shall sit and drink with me."
Probably not Attaya or Cafe Touba though !  )
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 10 Jan 2010 14:46:43 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2010 : 19:54:11
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| Lovely! Thanks for that. |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2010 : 08:37:37
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| What a great (naturalist) poem, Toubab. Thank you for sharing that. A nice break from politics and religion |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2010 : 23:01:45
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2bab,
Different regions of UK touched; a very typical poem for adventurers. I've never visited UK, but I (inshallahu) plan to in May 2010.
Thank you for sharing.
yj |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2010 : 23:26:49
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Dalton1.
I really hope that you can make it,England has a great deal of very beautiful places,the cities and suberbs are were most people live, thats where the work is,however if your friends can take you for a drive about 2 hours away from most places you can find the countryside,totally different,one thing for you to remember is that Most things are very expensive,don't expect to get a gilligile to take you many miles for a little money,public transport is so expensive that its cheaper to go by your own car ! One good thing though if you want to buy a reasonable car "reconditioned" as you would say that won't cost you a lot of money.Please enjoy your stay e in England it will show you that most of the people do not have money trees growing where they can pluck £ from the trees, they work hard for their money to come on holiday to The Gambia.I have no idea where you live,probably not in The Gambia but your memory of your homeland will enable you to understand what I am writing about.
It should have stopped snowing in May !
quote:
Originally posted by Dalton1
2bab,
Different regions of UK touched; a very typical poem for adventurers. I've never visited UK, but I (inshallahu) plan to in May 2010.
Thank you for sharing.
yj
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2010 : 23:38:36
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2bab,
Thanks. I tell you what, I was pissed to hell when I passed through a certain European in 09. Expensive clothings, food, etc.. very unfriendly environment I sensed.i might be wrong of being judgmental towards them..makes me believe that America has spoiled some of us, I mean in a good way...I hope UK is not like that country.
Thanks though...& I will remember this poem when I visit.
Happy winter with all the piles of snow and cold temperatures...we are equally running the same, or even worst weathers here.
yj |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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