The Fig Tree
There is
Some Dionysian connection
Here beneath the tree.
Its leathery leaves
Late this year.
Large enough now
To cover Adam's endowment,
Eve's mounting embarrassment.
The green roughness
Raising awareness
Of new fleshly delights.
Skin abraded gently
And not without pleasure.
There is a coolness here.
Hard by the house,
A shadowed sussurus
Making no impression
On the bricks.
Planted close to the wall,
Its tap root
Deep in the sandy earth,
Probing the moisture
Held in some cistern,
Filled with rain
And occasional flooding
From the river.
Whose saltiness
Silvering the trunk,
Drops the fruit
Before their time.
Allowing us the shade
In lieu.
The presence of the God is here
Under the leaves' green beneficence
A cool umbra over us all,
As we lift the wine
On Summer evenings,
Before we drink
And know his scented breath.
Some Favourite Websites For February 2026:
European Rail Campaign (UK) – The Campaign for Better Rail Links to and from the UK and across Europe
In view of the need to reduce people’s carbon footprints rail is seen as an environmentally friendly option for many journeys across Europe. The Euro Rail Campaign sees a need for better rail services between the UK and Europe as well as improved connecting services across Europe. Research has shown that international passenger transport can be competitive with air transport for journey times of up to 6 hours or distances of up to 800 kilometres. Explore more about what this organisation does
Halesworth Local Food Database – A 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
Waveney Wholesale – Suppliers of toys, novelties, giftware, china, housewares, pet items, beach goods and so much more
Established Halesworth-based suppliers with over 3000 lines stocked. On-line ordering or call and collect.
The Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway Society – Restoring Halesworth as a Narrow Guage Railway Hub
The Society have set up the Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway Society (HSNGR) to emphasise for the first time the huge importance of Halesworth as a railway hub with its links to London and the Suffolk coast, an importance neglected up until now.
Valley Farm – A large family farmhouse in Walberswick
A Grade II listed farmhouse for up to 11, plus 2 cots, with amazing views across the marshes to the sea.