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Back to the Greenwood

The spring has come to England once again
But I am far away and cannot see
The blackthorn blossoms blowing in the wind,
And blackbirds in the heavens, flying free.
The sun, grown potent, burns the standing stones,
Releasing things enthralled by winter’s hand,
Igniting blood grown cold and mending bones,
Awakening the life-force of the land.
O England, how my heart longs for you now!
Within your hills my fathers’ gods yet sleep.
I would return to you but know not how,
An ocean lies between us, wild and deep.
In dreams then, to the greenwood I will go,
To join the mummers in the Hal-an-Tow.

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Hal-an-Tow: a traditional Cornish May Day song

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Patricia Rogers Crozier has been published in The Washington Post. She holds a B.S. in Physics from Mississippi College. She resides in Gulf Breeze, Florida and works at Publix.

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6 Responses

  1. Roy Eugene Peterson

    This poem enthralled me. Though I am not from England, I can strongly feel the vivid sentiments so beautifully expressed.

    Reply
  3. Cynthia L Erlandson

    I’ve been hoping to see your work here again, Patricia. This is lovely. I can only imagine your longing.

    Reply
  4. Mark Stellinga

    Fingers crossed hard for this sorrowful soul to make it back to England one day. 🙁 A very touching piece, Patricia.

    Reply
  5. Paul A. Freeman

    Thanks for this poem, Patricia. Last summer, I returned to England for a summer job and was based in East and West Sussex.

    Your poem really emphasises the longing I felt before returning, and reminds me of what a joyful experience it turned out to be.

    Thanks for the read, and I hope you get to join the mummers in person next time round.

    Reply
  6. Joseph S. Salemi

    “Hal-an-Tow” – Cornish for “a wreath for the beginning of the month.” This folk custom goes very far back into Celtic times.

    Reply

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