Cleo at the Great North Door
The moon, a thin crescent, lit from within.
To the Eastward, The Plough, bright in deep space
And now here, the White Hart, whose yellow lights
Resemble a cruise liner out at sea.
Our White Hart, his slim neck collared with gold,
Badge of some noble line I do not know,
Glistening in the night, his status supreme
In his niche above the Prior's Courtroom,
So long ago, those days, when he was fixed.
The Hart watches us unblinking, head up,
Gold coronet, rich necklace, staring out.
Only our tall angel above our heads
Has some of his power, empty eye sockets
Looking over us all, into our eyes.
Her fierce face deflecting questions. Just look,
She says, look at my face and the White Hart,
Symbols of then and now, calling us all,
Requiring our attention and our love.
17th December 2006
By Richard Maslen (click to go back).
(White Hart with gold coronet: Badge of King Richard the Second, Blythburgh Suffolk)
Some Favourite Websites For November 2025:
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.
Rosedale Funeral Home – Providing the very best of bereavement care
A family owned local Funeral Home, offering a professional, competitively priced, 24 hour service. Experienced in all aspects of bereavement, whether it is discussing wishes in advance, arranging a funeral at the time of need or providing the very best bereavement support.
Lighthouse View – Superb Southwold self-catering cottage for four
Lighthouse View in Southwold is a comfortable and welcoming holiday cottage sleeping four in two bedrooms. This early-Victorian cottage is in the very heart of this attractive coastal town and the front door it is just yards from the promenade and sea.
Chris Doyle Photography – Beautiful 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.
Rookyard Cottage, Holton – Eco-friendly self-catering cottage near Halesworth with private heated indoor swimming pool available
Set in over two acres Valley Farm offers two self-catering cottages, Rookyard Cottage and Swallow Barn, both with eco-friendly features and each sleeping up to four people + cot. Rated AA 4 Stars. WiFi. Private heated indoor swimming pool available. Ten miles from seaside at Southwold. Pets not accepted.