Countless Golden tears
I took a walk on Saturday on Skipworth Common. I had passed it the day before returning from a visit to Driffield. I had caught site of some odd buildings near the road and when I was home researched the area and discovered it had previously been a war time airfield, Riccal. I also discovered that part of it was now part of a nature reserve – Skipworth Common. So my wife and I went there for a walk. these are photos I took of the old runway and the surrounding area. It was quite eerie to walk along what was once a runway and perimeter track, past dispersal areas and think of the few short years in which this land was the last that some knew. I wondered what the earth could tell us of them if it could speak. When I got home I started to put together some thoughts in poetry – not something I do that often.
Here is that poem:
Autumn returns
To the disused Runways
Perimeter tracks and dispersal areas
Now fractured, softened, hidden
Made green with grass and trees
Joggers now dodge Walkers with dogs
Who, without thought, trace
The steps of yesterdays forgotten heroes
Whilst unnumbered silver birch
Give voice to the unknown endless prayers
Absorbed by this burdened ground
And, as if in answer God weeps
Countless Golden tears
That lay upon the troubled earth
Soothing its memory of
Once heard, once felt,
Sorrows, hopes and fears
Of young men who
Took wing into the night
Some never to return to this
Earthly runway
While their brothers
In empty Bombers
Land bearing relieved
If heavy hearts.
Tim Coleman 1/11/09
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