Southwold's model yacht pond, and the regattas held there every summer, typifies the appeal of Southwold and area for family holidays. Beach, sea, countryside and lovely Suffolk skies!

Poem by Richard Maslen:
Peace And Dreams

menu
Poem by Richard Maslen:
Peace And Dreams

Empty Fields

Once more the dotted cattle
Move along the distant spit of land,
From left to right
In this early morning mist.
Later this evening
A slow return across their green stage,
Each cow and calf precisely lit
In the westering sunlight.
The great bull moving with them,
Bulking and content among his ladies
And his patchwork progeny.

Their movement seems as tidal as the river.
A rhythmic washing to and fro
Along the spit's green and narrow length.
Dark trees behind the cattle,
Gathered for the night
By a herdsman whose presence
Alone in the field,
Is enough to set them
On their evening journey
Homeward to the farm.

And in the distant, opalescent air,
White and pink houses
Like a child's cut-out picture book,
Centre on the towers and gleaming lighthouse
That seems the pivot for this evening world,
Where night overtakes each piece of scenery,
Slowly removing to the wings
The fading marsh and townscaped horizon,
A fretted darkness covering everything.

The land settling;
Full of the unmelodious, nightly chaos,
Waterborne and magically signalled
Into abrupt silence.
This wet world sleeping,
As the long, renewing hours
Bring us all to peace
And dreams.

From "A Kind Of Heaven" by Richard Maslen

Back to the Richard Maslen Poem List

Some Favourite Websites For July 2025:

PJN Motor EngineeringVery high quality local sevice

PJN Motor Engineering has been established in Wenhaston for many years and is based on providing a very high quality repair and maintenance service for all car and motorcycle types. Check them out if you need a quick fix or a full overhaul!

Chris Doyle PhotographyBeautiful Photos of local nature and recent horse riding events

View extensive online galleries of recent horse shows, show jumping, cross country and other events as well as galleries of local wildlife. Prints are available to order online.

Green Haven Holidays - Wheelwrights CottageWonderfully rural ecologically and economically friendly cottage for two

Set in the heart of the village of Rumburgh, close to the Suffolk Heritage Coast, Wheelwright’s Cottage makes an ideal holiday retreat for two or three people. The light and airy open plan cottage is the old wheelwright’s workshop and is renovated to an excellent standard, retaining many of the original features, including beams and oak flooring.

Juliet Penwarden CoachingJuliet Penwarden Coaching - Horse riding and care

Juliet is an experienced and qualified coach who places a strong emphasis on harmony between horse and rider and takes great pleasure in helping partnerships progress, whatever their goals.

Halesworth Local Food DatabaseA directory of high quality local food producers and retailers

Halesworth and the Blyth Valley enjoy easy access to all kinds of amazing local food producers. There are organic farms, rare breed farms, artisan cheese producers, several local breweries and independent shops selling this wonderful local food