Now and then I like to share an inspiring poem about nature or the wild. This one’s by the English-American poet W H Auden (originally a Brummie like me!)
A friend recommended it on the first day of our John Muir Discovery Award course, down in the wild’s of the Northumberland National Park on the exposed, windswept ridge of Hadrian’s Wall.
We had driven there through dense swirling fog on a chilly early January day, keeping eagle eyes open for a first glimpse of the ruined wall. We struggled…
I commented to Caroline and my friend that whilst our views were obscured, it was exactly how I imagined it for the poor Roman soldiers all those centuries ago, battling the elements and enemy raiders in their defence of Hadrian’s Wall (wearing little more than skirts and sandals, regardless of the weather!). Auden seems to have experienced similar thoughts.
Here it is for you, W. H. Auden’s
Roman Wall Blues
Over the heather the wet wind blows,
I’ve lice in my tunic and a cold in my nose.
The rain comes pattering out of the sky,
I’m a Wall soldier, I don’t know why.
The mist creeps over the hard grey stone,
My girl’s in Tungria; I sleep alone.
Aulus goes hanging around her place,
I don’t like his manners, I don’t like his face.
Piso’s a Christian, he worships a fish;
There’d be no kissing if he had his wish.
She gave me a ring but I diced it away;
I want my girl and I want my pay.
When I’m a veteran with only one eye
I shall do nothing but look at the sky.
The Tungrian soldiers were from Belgium, so whilst they may not have been dreaming of sun-drenched olive or lemon trees, life on the wall must have seemed pretty miserable.
However, here’s proof it’s also incredibly beautiful in different conditions.
This is at Housesteads Roman Fort, the only place you can walk on the actual stones of Hadrian’s Wall itself, for a stretch of around 200m.
With views like this perhaps the Romans weren’t so blue during summer!
Actually, it was also several degrees warmer back then, as vines were successfully grown at Hadrian’s Wall for wine. What was all the Roman moaning about?!
Housesteads is very well worth a visit (and also apparently George R R Martin’s inspiration for Game of Thrones’ wall!) Entry is free to both English Heritage and National Trust members.
If you love nature poetry, try this inspiring children’s anthology is I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree, with a nature poem for every day of the year.
For more poems check out Kids of the Wild’s poetry section and take a look at more children’s books in the reviews section as well as lots of outdoor adventure inspiration throughout the website from coasteering to citizen science, picnics to puffins. Let’s get the kids outdoors now!
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Wild wishes on your outdoor family explorations.
It’s been years since I visited Hadrian’s Wall, and it was wonderful to walk it with you and Auden for a few moments. How clever of the Romans to grow wine there! Thanks for linking up with #CULTUREDKIDS, Lucy.
I think that the vineyards were at Corbridge. I wonder what the wine tasted like though? Something else for the Romans to moan about. I’m looking forward to lots more exploration all along the wall
It’s such a fascinating stretch of countryside rich in history. And that poem was a new one to me. I do like the sound of a nature poem for every day of the year, so Ill look into that. #culturedkids
It really is fascinating. Such an evocative and rugged landscape
Thank you for this. I went to University in Newcastle and we had many field trips up to the Wall area in all weathers. Whilst it is beautiful in the sun it is way more atmospheric in truly bad weather! #CulturedKids
That’s so true, it had a much more ‘Roman’ feel in the mist and damp!
Lovely atmospheric photo Lucy. C is looking well xx
I have another WH poem on my wall, Davies not Auden. It’s a reminder to slow down and look at the lovely things in life.
‘Leisure’.
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 or 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 star
Treena I love that poem too and it would be perfect to put on the site as it’s totally Kids of the Wild’s ethos, thanks for the reminder. I might get a copy for my wall too. It’s also a great reminder that we need to catch up with you guys, it’s been FAR too long. Wild wishes coming your way! x
I have yet to visit Hadrian’s Wall, so thank you for the atmospheric pictures and poem. I’ll definitely be wearing more than a skirt and sandals when I do finally make it! #CulturedKids
I think in the summer a skirt and sandals might be fine – it’s just working out when summer happens that could be problematic!
I’ve never come across that poem before – i love it! Hadrian’s wall stretches across some wonderful landscapes but it does get all the British weather. Poor Romans!
I’d not heard of it either, fab isn’t it!