The Wandle Trail

The Wandle Trail
leads out from
Carshalton Ponds.
I find the Westcroft
leisure centre
simply by chance,
pop-in, collect a leaflet,
then walk
back with
Samuel.

On our journey
we had already
passed an Italian
Cafe in a 50s
timewarp.
Eating lemon meringue
Thinking for a second I
was in Milan.
But as I cross
the Wandle Trail,
only signposts as
my guide
I cannot get lost
even if I tried.
For the panoramic
views are beautiful
and the sky clear,
serene.
I pass through
many walkways,
Samuel sleeping
in his push
chair, he opens
his eyes once
to wake up
and then to
express the enormity
of his love for
me his mummy
and life.
At this point
a nice lady
comes up and
coos at Samuel.
I'm used to this.
"How old is he?"
"Nearly eight,"
I say
with pride
For the boy by my
side is my angel
my darling of
all good things.
Embracing joy
in Beddington.

Beddington

Beddington

I saw the fountains open
as if in
a dream.
Many tiny
gurgling waterfalls
purified from
water to the
wine of Christ's
love.

Bestowed gently
on this place
of quiet sanctuary
Even the algae
is clean, the
weeds don't over-ride
and buttercup
bushes, mayflower
and laburnum
are softly manicured
by distinctive
ivory hands of
humility, our
nature, humbled
by prodigies,
the one God,
natural,
untamed,
wild, real
Father, Son
and Holy
Spirit
alive in
Beddington.
I see St Mary's
steeple
and know I
have found home.