As we drive around the south-west of France, where we now live, my wife and I are often surrounded by vine-yards - field after field of vines, now heavily-laden with grapes that will soon be harvested and, eventually, become fine wines. The rows are perfectly straight. The vines are kept well-trimmed - the same height and width all along each row.
It was some weeks ago that my 'poetic' mind came up with a brief stanza:
Regimented rows of vines;
Standing tall and straight
Like Guardsmen on parade
On the Queen's official birthday.
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| Vineyard in Gardonne. |
However, as I continued to reflect on those words, I remembered the Japanese poetic form of the 'haiku'. This is composed of just seventeen syllables, in three groups - five, seven, and five. In the English language the groups are usually presented as three lines. So, having made some changes to my original verse, I present my Haiku to the Dordogne. The picture, by the way, is the field of vines directly opposite our new home. Beyond the trees is the river Dordogne, from which the Département takes its name.
Haiku to the Dordogne.
Regimented rows,
Like Grenadiers on parade.
Vines in the Dordogne.
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