Iron Angel - Blythburgh
Outside a hidden foundry
The iron angel drew me to her
Magnetic gaze,
Empty eyes fastened on mine.
Metal feathers so finely beaten,
Their cold, hard touch
A surprise.
Looking soft and warm,
I could almost hear
Adjustments of feathers,
Preening and shaking
Into alignment,
Into place
Uncoloured,
Natural rusting and tempering
Had given the angel sheens,
Brown, silver, grey and rust red.
Yet I cannot truly say
What colours they were
Probably a heavenly mix
Of shading, of grading
Too fine for me,
Too difficult to place the words
Accurately.
Set up near the great church,
I imagine its wings
Spread golden in a setting sun,
Its empty eyes fixed on me
As I stand and gaze
Remembering
My first vision,
My first amazed gasp.
The feathered wings,
Then as now,
About to wrap me within them.
Pulling me close,
Stopping my breath,
Closing my eyes.
Richard has also written an article about The Blythburgh Angel and how it was created.
Some Favourite Websites For January 2021:
Alan Ross Removals – Alan Ross Removals
A long-established Suffolk-based company with a wealth of experience and offering competitive pricing for removals, haulage and storage. Residential and commercial relocation services offered.
Andy Seedhouse Boats – Andy Seedhouse Boats, Woodbridge - Boat Sales
A friendly and professional family-run business with an old-fashioned approach to customer service, located on the picturesque waterfront at Woodbridge on the River Deben. From dinghies and day boats to fishing boats and yachts, and even including liveaboard boats too, Andy brings his many years of experience in helping his customers buy and sell. Also chandlery, trailers, etc.
Janet Talks – Janet Gershlick is a writer and broadcaster with many years experience
Southwold 'A place to love' has almost 200 pages packed with the stories and histories behind the inscriptions on its colourful beach huts, its many benches and on those small brass plaques on Southwold pier. The stories will both delight and inform.
Logs Logs Logs – Family Firm delivering kiln dried logs to Norfolk and Suffolk, including Norwich, Diss and Woodbridge
Logs available in tipper loads and bulk bags for wood burning stoves, open fires and pizza ovens. In addition supplying firewood in bulk bags to Essex, Cambridgeshire, London and beyond.
Stoneware Birds – Life-sized handmade and unique British birds, now available to buy online.
A charming unique gift or a treat for oneself. See the website to know how each one is made. Now available to buy online. Each bird is an individual creation, varying in choice from the perky wren to the plump bullfinch together with other well-loved British birds. Which will you choose?