Joyce George

Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

I was born 2nd of May 1914. I was educated at G of E School in East Anglia. I have written poetry since I was eight. I worked as a private nannie until I married. I have been widowed for thirty-five years. I have no children of my own but am kept very busy giving talks to womens meetings, pastoral visits, etc. I'm still very active, a great nature lover, and think that tomorrow will be another adventure. I don't grow old, just more experienced.

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The roads to home are filled with memories sweet
Too long I've trod the busy city streets
Almost forgotten the skylark's piercing call,
Or the perfume of the lavender
Strong and sweet.
How could the memories of the flint stone walls of
cottage be so dimmed
Or white sails of the little boats escape my mind
But I have found a calm so long denied
For I have trod again the roads to home.

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I knew that Spring was here
When first I saw your face
Sweet aconite.
When violets, wood anemones
My pathway made so bright.
Young larches swaying in the breeze
And rooks a nesting in the trees.

I knew that Spring was here
When first you bloomed
Sweet daffodil.
When gorse was blowing on the hill,
When cow with calf and sheep with lambs,
And geese returned from foreign lands.

I knew that Spring was here
When first I head the cuckoo call
And salmon leaps in waterfall.
And blackthorn dressed in bridal white,
And kingcup grows in watery dyke.

While primrose peeps from mossy banks,
I knew that Spring was here.
For all these joys and springtime in my heart,
Dear Lord, I give my thanks.