Sheriff’s Wood Eleanor Broaders' ode to Sheriff’s Wood: I wrote the poem after a visit to Windermere and my discovery of Sheriff’s Wood just off Lake Road. A real hidden gem with a stream and a waterfall tumbling into a deep yawning sink hole at the Bowness end. Eleanor Broaders Sheriff’s Wood Entering Sheriff’s Wood Was like stepping into a cathedral The central path, a long nave, Bracken and bramble arranged Like pews on either side. Oak and birch in priestly robes Of green velvet moss and Twists of braided ivy. The canopy in all its shades’ Stained glass windows Filtering the light. A veteran tree pruned And severed of branches It’s gnarled roots curling downwards Gripping the stony ground, Stood like a Totem Pole Staring at nothing Seeing everything. White flat capped fungi Jutted from its bark, Communion hosts Offering life after death. Birdsong filtered down Like confetti at a wedding. A stream running in riffles Over rock and gravel Pooled by a fallen log. Its blue slate bed holding The colours of the woodland Like an artist’s pallet And warm dappled sunlight Flowed, like a balm of peace Through a wounded heart. © Eleanor Broaders Header image © Copyright Graham Robson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. Manage Cookie Preferences