Andy D'Agorne

This summer, as in most years since the eclipse in 1999, our family have spent a week camping in Devon on a biodynamic farm overlooking Totnes and the River Dart. There is something for all ages including the many children and teenagers. For details see http://www.sharphamfamilycamp.co.uk/  The vision of an annual community of friends old and new, started by the farmer Richard who tragically died in 2007, lives on. At the camp cabaret, one of the campers read out a poem composed this week and he kindly agreed to share it with others who were there. Although the weather was the wettest ever, we still had a good time and came away rested if somewhat muddy!  

Sharpham 2008

(for Richard)

On narrow road, through high-sided lane we came,

And thought there were no fields so kind, so warm, as these sweet slopes

Where briefly, once again, we made our home,

Not in the honeyed chaos of our other lives,

The non-stop pulse of day-to-day,

The spinning cycles of that world,

And meals on time, (not in our house! Andy)

But in the hallowed hours of here,

These dear acres held by Richard's shade

And vision of how our lives might be,

And us indeed transformed.

So rain could come and batter hard, in vain,

And clothes be wet, and sleep

Provoked by storm and blinding gale,

The constant drum a trouble to our dreams.

And what did we learn?

Just this, for sure.

That our love and hearts will hold all this -

The farm and fields,

His spirit dear, and all that Nature can provide,

And, in the months to come, as evenings close,

We will draw nearer to our fires,

And our eyes grow moist as we recall these sacred days,

And hold them close and dear,

For all the times ahead.

© Murray Edscer 8/ix/2008