The Barren Moorlands That Look Untouched Georgina Watson The barren moorland that look untouched Yet has been touched many times and for many years Now steeped with history Political and also personal It’s on top of the Kinder Scout Plateau where I learned to navigate through moorland Following trodden paths through the heather Then following a single line drawn on the map The wind against my face My boots sinking into the peat after a misplaced step The heather jewels the landscape among the rough grasses and soft peat It is something I can look at for days I can get lost in it I have to be careful But still I go back Never alone It draws me back Each time Deeper and deeper Further into the moorland and away from the trodden path When I visit again I’ll sit there with my sister Watching the heather and grasses move with the wind They take the battering a lot better than me
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