The rule of three a writer's trick Memory facilitated, Three facts, that's it. In children's stories, threes found here, The Three Little Pigs The Three Musketeers. In fiction we remember three Beginning, middle and end agreed. A story group- a trilogy. A Narrative that shows progression Built up with tension Then released invention. Even stooges came in three Shakespeare made good use of these. A student learns with ease. Letters too have this restriction Salutation And valediction. There's strength in three for sermon too Three points made, then conclude Expected rule To err would fool. Consider other speeches then, 'Friends, Romans, Countrymen!' Slogans Pen: Stop Drop Roll, The 3 Rs toll, Three goals. There's power of three Makes a cube Rigidity of strength imbued. Take a power away and strength is lost. A flat square is not as strong. Power gone. Three-leaved clover, a fourth is rare; Nature's power of three is there, Three elements in air. The Bible too has symbols then: The three wise men, The cockerel crowed three times again. The third hour,the third day, Three times in the garden at Gethsemane The disciples forgot to pray. Father, Son and Spirit given At Trinity the power from heaven Omnipotence is riven. Omnipresent Omniscience Power over all with love is meant. A triune God of one in three Blessed Holy Trinity. The rule of three. Ruth Partridge
Hidden Secrets
All is calm below The soughing trees above Protect this hidden space The depths I've learnt to love. Richness in these lanes Hold such secret there, A hidden wealth of nature Makes me linger there. Echoes in the wind; Gentleness beneath the trees ; Vibrancy beheld; The beauty of the leaves. Pastel shades of green Whispered feathers blown. Muted creatures stirred The lane gives up its throne. The secret lives it holds Twisted stories it could tell of folk who walked its path This lane I know so well.
After Rain
This inspiration came by running last evening just after a heavy shower had passed. I’ve been waiting to finish work to write it down!
A pastel glow beneath the heavy sky Signals a sign of change. Warmth descends to valley floor; All nature held in the spell of rain. Breathe deep. Droplets jewel from the fronds of ferns; Earthy smell from moss and stone Heightens senses in this place; The knowledge of being quite alone. Breathe deep. In this world of darkened state Of hidden boughs laid low Musk of fox, rank smell of decay Spires of foxglove bright pink aglow. Breathe deep. The tremoring call of the lark, A bird which cannot be seen So high it flies above; The silhouette of the hare On sodden field of green. Breathe deep. All nature seems awakened The shower for now has passed. Swallows skim close to the ground Refreshment , nourishment Elixir of life is found. Breathe deep. Ruth Partridge
Splash with paint day 4
A splash with paint
Rain allowed a few hours painting and this is how far I’ve come in three days. Plenty left to do and I’ve repainted the gate twice already . Will rub back tomorrow and keep working.
Summer Rain
A leaden sky dark grey marauds against the brightness of the morning. A stillness; time suspended; all nature waits. Slow to fall the sound awakens, perceptions heightened. Olfactory senses stirred by primeval smells of spores released. A reawakening - nature's release. Rejuvenation or decay, water replenishes. Droplets quicken- a move to a different tempo. Sounds intensify against hard earth. Nature responds: Birds quieten, Plants stand tall, Colours intensify against the grey. With gentleness it falls , The weathervane redundant; Windless Slow moving Thirst quenching Life-giving. Into pools and rivulets, streams in the lane, each droplet finding its course, Repurposed, Focused. For each living thing hydration. Repurposed, Focused, Changed. Ruth Partridge
Final structure on the vegetable garden
Putting the bean canes in always signals the last of the planting out and completion of the veg layout ( not the work involved). Tying with snake and square lashing reminds me of Girl Guides. How thankful I am that I learnt how to tie knots correctly.
The joy of morning
Loving having breakfast with these two . Soda bread rolls and fruit in the hut and the joy of rain for the garden. The contrasts we see in our weather are beautiful.
Early Summer Run
A dusty road snaking down To sound of constant whine. The rumbling sound of trailers carried, Grass-cutting is the sign Of summer in this ancient lane- A vein off an artery. None will know that this exists Save those whose lane it be. To run this route is less well known But beautiful all the same. It slopes away beneath the hill Contouring is this lane. So stride is long and metres swift From top to valley floor. The river is a welcome sight, The shade of trees assured. The river's sound is pleasant now- A soft flow through the gorge. Slabs of stone are now revealed Undercut by constant force. Sparkling water runs so clear And tempting it would be To take a dip within its depths As it glints and beckons me. Instead the view of houses Perched up on the hill; The choice is there- short and steep- Or even longer still. Past the old kiln cottages The true height though is hidden A laboured run up the narrow track Roughly worn and pot hole riven. This, an hour, is not so long As others on my rounds, But offers up the best in choice of running steep hills down. The shelter though and trees contrast And the river is a dream And often favoured is this way To run a while unseen. Ruth Partridge
An after work run 6Km
To hit the lane down at rush hour is far from practical ,stopping three times for traffic coming up and down . Once at the bottom though it’s great to turn into the quiet lane and run for miles on a downward run with a gentle slope all the way. To then reach the main road for about 50 yards, I’m reminded that I last did this in the first week of lockdown when I could run down the middle of it. Tonight there were commuters. Before that was the whine of the grass cutting and huge tractors rumbled their way past. On reaching the returning lane, the joy of running under trees was welcome and the gentle sound of the river was inviting especially with the thought of the upward gradient to come.
Ruth Partridge 