[SparklySarah]

I was up on Dartmoor earlier on this year, and decided to write a little verse on it. See what you think!! I would like to know other peoples opinions on my writing because I am thinking of publishing my poetry book on nature and the like. Well, here goes!!!!

The Beauty of Silence

Up on Dartmoor was the first time I had felt relaxed and at peace in a very long while. We were driving down a long unfenced road that ran through the heart of the moor, dodging the sheep, and the thing that struck me the most was the sheer scale and expanse of the landscape. We passed through a place that had almost completely been claimed by the beauty of nature. I think the only things that were not natural were the roads and the few cars that ran along them. There were a few houses dotted around in the folds of the hills, but they blended in so well they seemed a part of the moors. Even the old mines had been claimed by the wild.

The wildlife around looked so at peace with their surroundings; the sheep milled around the road, even lying on the tarmac, completely oblivious to the traffic. There were (of course) the ponies scattered across the hills, many of them with young or expecting. The foals were flitting around, enjoying the evening air. Everything was so blissful and calm.

We decided to stop at the side and walk over to a rocky outcrop a little distance away. Along the way the ground was carpeted with tiny flowers; stone crop and another little white flower. The gorse was not in flower yet; you know how the saying goes…

When we got to the top, the view stunned me. You could literally see for miles; green stretched out around me, dotted with speckles of colour and a couple of thatched houses. Something caught my eye further down and I wandered across to see what lay beyond. As I sat on a rocky ledge I was immersed in the beauty of the silence that enveloped the moors. The only sounds I could here were the chattering of birds and the sheep calling to each other. I sat for what seemed like hours, gazing out at the vastness that surrounded me. There, at that time, I finally felt free. I felt as if every thing had been lifted from me and the desire for solitude had never been so great. I was reluctant to go; I thought that if I stayed there a little while longer, I would finally be lost in the silence.

Walking back, I went behind the outcrop and suddenly the wind dropped and all I could hear was my own heartbeat. Momentarily, all the world hung still and held its breath, not wanting to break the moment. As I walked back on a different route to the others, I thought Yes, I could live here. A little thatched cottage, tucked in the folds of the hills, and a horse so I could ride at my leisure across the country. I would write my books and fulfil my dream of becoming an author.

And as I sit here writing this in my tent, I think of my years ahead, living in such a beautiful, vast expanse, listening to the sounds of the moors and admiring the beauty of silence.

By Sarah E B Williams ©
16/06/07


All comments welcome!!

Sarah

P.S: Sorry it's so long!!