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  4. The Fenceless Gate

The Fenceless Gate

for Hughie

High in the hills of Wales
somewhere above Ceredigion
a fenceless gate swings in the wind.

Bold spirit are you?
A rugged glance, good boots or a 4 by 4
and you're away.

among sheep and ravens
cloudwise among crags
bogs and sudden mist

a falling white out
lost in the desert
chilly too.

Coming down a valley no one ever saw before
the dead still sing in the Inn.
Finding a way home not so easy then.

They make you welcome - see,
beer's good,
hard to get away and the company cheerful.

Nothing to worry about - see
the view in the rear view mirror,
marke me, fading

Boyo - just you take care in Wales.
Fenceless gates
swinging in the wind

are saying more than you take them for.
Having another are you?

Back
  • Author: John Crook
  • Publication date: 1998-06-01
  • Modified date: 2025-02-05
  • Categories: 1998 Poetry John Crook Highlighted
  • Western Chan Fellowship logo Western Chan Fellowship CIO
  • Link to this page
John Crook, portrait in oil by Ros Cuthbert 1997
A gate across the track, but no fence at the side of the gate
  • Dharma Resources
  • Selected Articles
  • Retreat Reports
  • Dharma Library
  • New Chan Forum
  • Chan Magazine
  • Free Books
  • Books Sheng Yen / John Crook
  • Reading List
  • Good Reads
  • Audio Video

©Western Chan Fellowship CIO 1997-2025. May not be quoted for commercial purposes. Anyone wishing to quote for non-commercial purposes may seek permission from the WCF Secretary.

The articles on this website have been submitted by various authors and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Western Chan Fellowship.

Permalink: https://w-c-f.org/Q372-342

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Credits

Sun icon by gravisio from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Bed icon by IconMark from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

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