There lies a place that shall be

known as Leafy.

Known to some as districts,

Others as wards.

But,

on this sunrise of the

first month of summer,

It is,

Was,

And will always be Leafy.

During school I was ferried in and

out on a daily basis:

Entering the Southern Edge,

Occasionally going home via the

artery roads North.

Through two phases of work I saw

its eastern boundary;

The high canopied ridges that gave views

to the towers that produced their own clouds.

It's hard to say where the western

bit begins:

Although in two cases it is after a descent

from hill crest to dell.

Now, in a new phase,

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I am taken back into Leafy.

Its walls of glaze,

stone, perennials and

manicured hedges.

Its emerald canopy plus the matching,

living ceiling over

the parks and golf courses;

Where a squirrel can not only cross a dual

carriageway;

But reach the crest of School Hill without touching

the ground.

Yet despite these journeys,

I do not think that this is the

only Leafy.

For on Week's End I rise through what

could be another:

Ascending then descending through an

avenue of Planes.

Whose pillars and canopies frame the sky in

winter or summer;

With views to the district centre I have visited

more than any other,

And the verse on the church noticeboard that

provides food for thought.

There is another route to the First Leafy.

Via a climbing road beyond the place of

Hunt's Cross.

A long-held goal was to walk up this route

into the tree-swathed hills,

And buy a cake and a smoothie in the village

on-top.

Too far some say.

You wouldn't get back in time say others.

But, one late September day,

When autumn had not truly got

underway,

A group of us walked up the Hill

called Camp,

Enjoyed the warm sun and

sat on the warm grass,

Took in the view of the cobalt mountains beyond

two estuaries,

Whilst I remembered that I was finally sat

on the hill that I had long wanted to climb:

Leafy.