This poem commissioned by Norfolk County Council is an invitation to connect to the natural landscape of Norfolk. Inspired by the heritage wherries of Norfolk Albion and Maud, it is full of references to local landmarks, heritage and biodiversity, from Burgh Castle to to Breydon Water.
You can take a ferry to Whitlingham Country Park where you can join the Wherryman’s Way and walk all the way to Breydon Water. You can also take the train to the Berney Arms and explore RSPB site Berney Marshes, too.
While you are walking, listen to the land – what can you hear? If the land could talk what might it say?
Dreaming of Albion, Sailing With Maud
Commissioned by Norfolk County Council 2020
From grey beginnings, the water streams, aglitter with havens, dark beauty and dreams.
Sail away to better things, yellow iris, where summer’s sky lark beauty sings;
lapwings calling, in winter, geese. Take the tiller, with Albion and Maud,
to things worth saving, banks of peace. Load up with ice, under dreading terns,
quanting off, on clinkered beams, black sails vast, vane topped masts.
Turn through the wall into a timeless place, where golden sunlight streams
with grace. Give way to sail, swallowtail, flying. Water glistening,
earth’s old ways. Quest for magic, dragons, hare hopping. Marsh crackling,
silt popping. Reeds hissing, in shimmering space. Iceni banks of beauty, sweet.
Listen to the land, of chalk and flint, treasure life worth saving. This earth, at your feet.