In a world scarred by mines, machines, and careless extraction, the sky remains a refuge for those who choose to protect rather than exploit. These Black Knights rise through that open air as nature’s quiet defenders, calling us to join their watch.
Black Knights
We are nature’s Black Knights, guardians of the planet’s salvage rights. Watch us soar into the light
There above the earth’s trees, where the atmosphere is free, beyond the Daleks of mankind’s dreadful coalmines and destructive landmines. “ Now is the time to become a member of our sky’s peaceful nerve centre. We welcome all monitors, menders, clever inventors, and recycled pretenders.
Today’s Throwback Friday poem (originally written in June 2023) is drawn from my upcoming book, Time Hears No Sound. It appears as the second poem in Chapter 11, Poetry in Slow Motion: Who’s Keeping Time.
“Down to the Valley” was written on a day when I strayed from the usual path, letting the landscape guide the poem. It’s a small journey into the unexpected, where nature and recollection meet.
Down To the Valley
Roaming. Off the beaten track Over sagged wire fences Through plowed fields Down to the valley below Where sunflowers grow
Detouring. Across the babbling brook Toward the castle of broken glass Cocooned together in woven grass Until time awakens the past
Some plants arrive with more spirit than we expect, and Theo was one of them. He pushed up far too early, braved the winter cold, and grew into a bold, towering presence in my garden — a true Romeo among the flowers. His season was brief but wholehearted, rising from a tiny seedling to a generous summer giant before gently returning to the earth.
The photos below trace his small but memorable journey, followed by a poem and a quiet Damien Rice song that felt just right for his farewell.
Theo is transplanted from the gravel path into my large planter box. (early June)
When I came back from my trip to Canada, on September 23rd, Theo was indeed looking very sick, and we thought he mightn’t survive …
But during the spring weather of October and November, Theo did thrive …
With flowers and fruit by the end of December …
Yes, Frankie, we spotted red tomatoes in early January …
Early March, and Theo’s crop of fruit has not been large, mainly due to his premature birth and my 4-week absence in Canada, but we are very proud of Theo’s effort to be one of nature’s providers …
Theo, My Garden’s Romeo
From little things, big things grow – a tiny seedling in the snow. So brazen and bold, he survived the winter cold
A time-defying green tower, with serendipitous spring flowers and summer fruit for my garden dell – Theo’s life was wildly swell.
Then, prematurely – like his birth – his wilted girth slowly began to return to the earth
Featured Image Above: A bleak sky, fleeing wings, and a world on edge—echoed in the voice of “Iron Sky.”
A thank you to Derrick for inspiring the theme of this poem, even though I didn’t use his photo this time. His article nudged me to write. >> Confusion About The Month – derrickjknight
Gulls Over Dover
The sky turns a hessian dull as our silly world spins towards another war zone cull.
The frightened gulls of Dover flee north to Hull, too wary of looking backwards, haunted by humanity’s disparities
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 