Beyond the Gate (Day 737)

The road beyond the gate wobbled 

and tripped over a countryside so green 

as to stun the senses, painted so vividly 

it seemed impossible you could not 

feel and smell and taste each shade, but only 

feast your eyes and pray the image lingered. 

The road beyond the gate spoke your name 

in a language without words, luring you

with a flirtatious curl here and a voluptuous 

angle there, the parts you could not see 

driving you mad with curiosity. 

The road beyond the gate led you beyond 

low-rolling hills, beyond verdant groves 

and sheep-strewn pastures, beyond towns 

and cities to the sovereign sea, on whose 

elegant margin you sway, now, idling, eternal,

poised between yesterday and tomorrow.

Inspired by a mystical experience, as described by artist Duncan Grant (1885 – 1978), a member of the famous Bloomsbury Group. I came across Grant’s tale in this beautifully-written article: https://www.theculturium.com/duncan-grant-berwick-church/

(c) 2019, by Hannah Six

Image: PxHere