The Landscapes of London and Beyond Pt 1. 🇬🇧☎️💂‍♂️🏰

Images from Creative Commons and me

I have begun a new series I’d like to call the Landscapes of London. I will be writing poems about the places I visited during my time in Britain. Visiting the UK had been a magical experience for my family and me. Now, I would like to bring that magic to you by writing poetry about my destinations during that time. From the suburban towns of Arlington to the bustling streets of London. I hope you enjoy the UK as much as I did!

Starting off strong, I present to you about the towns of Cotswolds. This poem takes a step back from the tall buildings and the flashy lights of London. The Cotswolds, partially located in Arlington, is a suburban sector of villages on the outskirts of the city. Does the name Arlington sound familiar?  The mansion that the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C was named after took inspiration from Arlington, UK, due to its natural and medieval beauty. When Japanese Emperor Hirohito visited the Cotswolds, he left with fond memories of the towns, making it a popular place for Japanese tourists to visit. That is a brief overview of the Cotswolds. Now, get ready to picture yourself there. I hope you enjoy the poem!

It’s time to escape, the bustling streets,

of London where greenery still lies beneath.

It’s time to leave behind. The tall buildings, big ponds,

and explore the wonders of what beauty lies beyond.

We begin this vast journey with towns standing small,

Let’s start this journey with the tour of Cotswolds.

The small cottages with people living suburban lives,

where chimneys smoke cozy homes, and small businesses thrive.

Children play in parks, till the sun begins to set,

whilst parents tend to gardens and hobbies like chess.

With houses both simple and practical stand,

in flourishing fields and unpolluted land.

Where vines wrap around buildings and trees,

where history fills the cobblestone streets.

Tradition still holds from decades before,

from trading to selling, to communal stores.

Structures strong lasting from medieval times,

homes passed down in family with glory and pride.

Catholic Churches with tinted glass walls

and intricate ceilings still standing tall.

Sharing beliefs, over communal ground,

prayers and worship are passed all around.

An area that lives with harmony and peace,

the Cotswolds’ beauty is surely unique.

 

Tree Planting in Durham


Here is a map of the trees we planted!

On Friday, my grade went to plant trees in our community. We learnt how to plant trees with only a shovel and perseverance. The park we planted the trees in has a rich history as well. The land hosted the first high school in Durham for black students in 1922! The benefits of planting trees include shade, oxygen, and a greener world amidst the open fields. We learnt that when planting trees you must loosen the roots first or else they will tangle and die. After we finished planting each tree, it felt like a great accomplishment. Especially since we were working in pouring rain. Despite the weather conditions, we decided to look on the bright side. The water from the rain will help the trees grow!  After planting some trees, we went to pick up trash around the park. We were surprised by some of the things people threw on the floor. Nonetheless, we had a great time making a difference in our community! I included a picture of the map showcasing where we planted the trees.