Sanctuary

By Chris Roe

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Photo: Chris Roe

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I. Sanctuary

Shafts of light
Through cathedral windows.
Dappled shade
Upon the leaves
Beneath my feet.
Bird song
In the branches above.

In the distance
Hind and fawn
Cross the forest track.
The sweet fragrance of autumn
Fills the misty air.

A gentle breeze
Moving colours
To the forest floor.

So precious
Such beauty,
So hard to find
Such peaceful sanctuary.


II. To Dream of Spring

Harvest is gathered 
Fields lay bare,
Already turned to the plough,
Colours, dancing in the autumn wind.
The evening breeze, sharper, cooler,
An early morning frost,
A dusting of snow,
Cold dark winter evenings,
A glowing fire in the grate,
Another log brightens the flame.
Time to rest,
To sleep,
To dream of spring.


III. Below The Winter Sky

Below the grey, winter sky,
A covering of snow
Lay upon the distant hills.
In the valley
The familiar, but welcome sight
Of the grey stone cottage,
With smoke from the single chimney,
Gently drifting away
Upon the chilling winter breeze.

Journey's end closer now,
Footsteps quicken through the snow,
Along the narrow lane,
Leading to the path
And the solid timber door
At the front of the cottage.

Already in my mind,
Smells of the kitchen,
A glowing fire in the grate,
The warmth and comfort of home.
As I close the door,
Fresh snow covers my tracks
Along the lane,
As winter secures its hold
Upon the cottage in the valley.

Inside at last.
Expectations of journey's end,
Fulfilled,
As I rest, by the fire,
Of the cottage, in the valley,
Below the grey, winter sky

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Chris Roe was born and still lives in Norfolk, England. Writing has been a hobby since he was in his mid-teens. Individual poems have been published in magazines and on websites around the world. In 2008, he self-published a collection of 45 poems entitled 'In Search of Silence'. Most of his working career has been spent within the agricultural industry, from which he is now retired.

Chris' other work on Foreshadow:
Dawn Trilogy (Poetry, August 2022)
The Painter​ (Poetry, August 2024)