That summer we became caretakers - just ten days of house sitting whilst friends went in search of some long held hopes and expectations. I expected nothing more than a fresh-air break from the city. But sitting there that first day, swamped by swallows and the shrill flights of swifts over the quay, I unwittingly put down roots. It was not just the ideal weather and the sight of ebb tide boats all along the coiled river, for there have since been winters, cloudy days and some most unpromising moments under these same eye-full skies. But my heart never strays far. After all,  love is not of our choosing and even places can lodge themselves deep in our affections. 

Many summers have gone and come again and this one brings a restless urgency to make migration plans. So why search the map for direction when there is already an x marking the spot?

Martins in mud huts
home a forsaken landscape
autumn winds recall

23 thoughts on “The spot”

1. “I unwittingly put down roots” – oh how that happens! This is such an affecting post, Laura. And the haiku too. I especially love the way you used ‘home’ as a verb here. Bravo.

   1. lovely comment – thank you Tish. Yes we are like weeds – no one plant us yet we turn up in some place or other 😉

2. Lots of home felt imagery here, a most enjoyable read. I also really liked the following……………….“I unwittingly put down roots”……….. so true.

   1. thank you Julian – once rooted it’s hard to let go!

3. An intriguing and delighful write!

   1. lovely comment – thank you!

4. A different but memorable summer ~ I admire this part:

   After all, love is not of our choosing and even places can lodge themselves deep in our affections.

   Thanks for joining our Haibun Monday ~

   1. way past the deadline but a haibun I could not resist Grace

5. Your writing is so evocative, Laura. Always a pleasure to read and imagine through your prose and poetry. That feeling of love of place–so difficult to put into words…you’ve succeeded, and then some.

   1. so good to share places and plants across our continents Beth 🙂

6. I think I fell in love with that place through your eyes.

   1. so encouraging to know I succeeded in passing my love of this place on – thank you!

7. I agree that we can become deeply attached to places. We know them so well rich with memories..

   1. true Frank – love is not confined to people

8. Sometimes a place does just reach out and wrap its roots around your ankle. You sound so content. Blessings.

   1. how well put – thank you!

9. I love how you listen to those roots of yours. That x on the map is where to go.

   1. will try not to lose sight of that spot 🙂

10. O How the place is breathing round you…so beautifully penned…

    1. you have spotted that important sense of space here in breath

11. Gosh, this makes me pine for a summer like that. Wonderful to imagine 🙂

    1. lovely words – thanks you Marian

12. Pingback: POM: February 2019 – PoetryPix

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