ANNOUNCEMENT: Lowther Castle: ‘Beneath The Boughs’

Been wondering what all our teaser posts were leading up to? Has your quill been itching to get words on the page, or your fingers hovering impatiently over the keyboard? Have no fear – the announcement is finally here:

Beneath The Boughs is an exhibition of new poetry, running at Lowther Castle & Gardens, Cumbria, from July 19th – September 9th 2013.

As with any exhibition, we need something to exhibit. This is where you come in. Yes, that’s right: YOU. We’ll be updating the site with monthly prompts, as well as quotations and photographs to spark that inspiration. We will add more information about submitting work in the very near future.

The ruined gardens at Lowther are really unique. They lie in the grounds of a ruined castle, in an idyllic pastoral landscape unchanged for hundreds of years. Around every corner is something to discover, whether that’s a tree swing, a wooden summerhouse, or a stunning view across the valley. And in summer 2013, there’ll be an extra thing to add to the list of discoveries: poetry.

Stay tuned for more information as we prepare for the big event! Follow us on facebook or twitter, and sign up to our mailing list (by clicking the ‘Follow’ button on the right) to stay in the loop.

LEISURE, by William Henry Davies

WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—

No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.