Drovers' routes from hill
to market town, paths worn
visible by villagers and time.
Flat lands draw their distances;
high heavened highways without end
skylines stepping back
with every stride we make.
Beware though the criss-cross
country ways, contours
that lure the curious astray.
Just 44 words for Lisa’s Quadrille prompt: Contour
PoetryPix 
Living in the countryside, I know those drovers’ routes and village paths, Laura. Although Norfolk is notoriously flat, we do have some contours ‘to lure the curious astray’. I love your quadrille!
Suffolk was where I loved to roam (and Norfolk’s coast) but now it’s up and down dale as per the quadrille – thanks Kim
My pleasure, Laura!
“skylines stepping back” creates such a stunning visual! Love your concluding lines, Laura.
so glad you picked up on that – ever the observant one. Thank you!
Having gotten lost out in the countryside a time or two, no service on the phone, can be more than a little anxiety producing. Best to know the ways of the land than to get lost in its criss-crosses. I love imagery you use in here, Laura, especially as the lens shifts.
loved walking with your prompt Lisa – thank you
You are very welcome.
It’s easy to get lost in an unfamiliar landscape, even a city one. I like the way your lines layer the paths. (K)
thank you Kerfe
Luscious landscape weaving, a trip-trap from the unwary. Beautiful!
lovely feedback too with its soundings
The contoured paths are the ones I seek. Very visual!
the roads less travelled Charley!
I love the image of drovers driving their animals to market.
yes and the way the individuals would converge till the flocks got bigger and often ended being driven into cities too as in London with streets named after them
We were out hiking in the woods for two days during easter, and those paths that try to lure you away were there all the time… (if it hadn’t been for the marking of the trail)
I know those temptations too so how wise to mark the trail!
I could visualize this one so well. So much in these few words, Laura!
thank you Merril – the long way round in a few words – nice paradox!
You’re welcome, Laura!
Warning duly noted! I grew up in the country, winding roads the norm. Your poem is lovely, describing the landscape perfectly.
I live with hill and dale now but still love Suffolk and the long haul to the horizons – thank you for your feedback Helen
”Drover’s” drew me in, a lovely, ancient sounding word and I followed the path all the way to its end.
thank you for following along as I’m a sucker for the drover’s routes – lots here in England can still be traced and I did one also in Spain with a donkey and granddaughter
You might enjoy The Salt Path by Raynor Winn if you haven’t read it already. Thanks for the link to your Spanish trek. Have you ever thought of doing the Camino de Santiago, something which I dream of but likely will never accomplish at this point in my life?
thank you for the suggestion. The Camino is more than a step too far for me these days though my sister is about to do it again.
Fantastic poem! I really loved the lines:
But beware the criss-cross
country ways, contoured
to lure the curious astray.
many thanks Nicola – just done a slight edit as I too liked them but were not quite right
Laura, you made me think of this song by Pearl Jam. It was written as a lullaby for the drummer’s new baby. It’s a different kind of bend but such a sweet one.
An interesting association 👍
Enjoyed the rhythm and sound in this one, and the note of encroaching, subtle threat. Simply lovely.
thank you Dora for all your observations
My pleasure, Laura.
I especially love your use of alliteration in the final three lines of this piece, Laura, but the whole verse is delightful and vivid.
~David
thank you for your very kind words David
I’ve just finished a week of hiking, and I cannot beware, I must go and see where those contours lead. This speaks my language of heart.
ah but you are a wayward soul and only these do not get lost in the contours
That feels right 🙂