A STRATFORD man has used his lockdown experience to reignite his former passion for poetry.
Joe Nash entered a poetry competition by retirement developer McCarthy Stone which challenged people across the country to write about the pandemic.
And out of the 250 entrants, Joe’s poem ‘This land we know as England’ was one of 15 shortlisted entries in the competition, judged by writer and historian Michael Bird.
Joe said: “Writing has always been one of my favourite hobbies and I’ve always enjoyed creative writing, in fact I used contribute towards Rotary magazine.
“When I heard about McCarthy Stone’s poetry competition, it was the perfect opportunity to put my writing skills back to the test. I have lived in many different places and often take inspiration from all the wonderfully different scenes they offer, so I thought, why not help to bring some of them to life at a time when people are unable to get out and about as much to see them for themselves?
“I really hope my poem brings joy to all those reading it and that it helps to offer a welcome distraction from everything else that is going on.”
This land we know as England by Joe Nash
This land we know as England,
each and every part,
every sod, each grain of sand
nestles in my heart.
The rugged hills of Yorkshire,
Cumbrian Lakes and Fells.
What could more inspire
than the cathedral down at Wells?
The Cotswolds and the Severn Vale
with Sabrina flowing by;
a no more lovely gentle scene
wherever you may try.
North and South, East and West
from Devon to The Broads;
of all the world’s great wonders,
England strikes the chords.
Historic Wiltshire’s Salisbury Plain,
Sussex boasts its Downs –
these glorious counties really gain
the jewel in the crown.
The village greens of England
with ducks and swans and geese;
they are our national treasure brand
of gentle, tranquil peace.
