The Messenger

My poem ‘The Messenger’ was reviewed in The Writing magazine’s’ Poetry Workshop this month, by the magazine’s poet Alison Chisholm. It’s a brilliant article, which not only critiques the poem itself but also delves into the inspiration behind the poem, which can often be fascinating.

In this instance my initial inspiration came from an encounter with a young fallow deer.  At the time I was staying with my twin sister and elderly mum, who live in a converted barn on the edge of a wood.  I spent a lot of time while I was with them outside in the beautiful surroundings, and often saw a family of fallow deer appear from the wood to graze in the open fields surrounding us. However, this was something different; this was a magical moment and one that I will never forget.

I hope you enjoy reading it, and maybe it will bring to mind a similar encounter for you. I do hope so… and if it does, please feel free to let me know by leaving a comment on this post!

I saw her in the dusk light
A shadow between the trees.
I sensed something watching me,
Then the snap of a twig,
Rustling of leaves.
And there she was
Those large innocent eyes
As bright as the North star.
A silhouette so beautiful
it was as if every line,
Every contour of her body
Had been sculptured
In the hands of an old master.
And for a moment,
In the stillness
Before she turned and disappeared
Into the night
I imagined she was a messenger
From folklore, myth or legend.
A messenger of hope.