The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Public verse’s feelgood factor
Ever the wordsmith Thomas Brown is pausing to reflect on the inspirations behind his poetic celebrations of the natural harmony to be found on our doorsteps.
He writes: “All of us get ideas in our minds, little things we dream up. I suppose one could say the simple idea can be the catalyst to greater things, or the mother of invention.
“As a published poet I had an idea to place poems on a popular walk in Bankfoot, namely the Backmill Road. It started off as just an idea, but the idea in time bore fruit.
“Early one morning with hammer and nails I chose a particular tree by the wayside and nailed up my poem for all to see. It was no accident – rather by purpose – that its subject was the stream, the Garry Burn.
“The stream is immediately behind the spot I chose and lies near a little waterfall, so my decision was made with all good intent.
“The poem began with the words, ‘Listen to the stream, listen to its music – soothing, therapeutic, so good for the mind’.
“This is because the water is the sound not just of nature but of eternity, for the stream always has been and always will be heard by successive generations, and that was the poem’s theme.
“Sometimes I stood at a distance and saw people stand and read, and occasionally a photo would be taken. I did not sign my name but it became common knowledge I was the poem’s author and I did receive some nice comments.
“One gentleman said how he liked to walk the Backmill Road alongside the burn hearing its eternal music, then looking at
the poem he found it almost spiritual. I guess that is the pull of the words.
“My little idea obviously was a wee success, which led me to do a few others at various locations. With Thomas Gray’s epic poem Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard in mind, I placed a poem in respect of the long deceased upon the gates of the old kirkyard at Logiebride, and another poem at the Millennium Duffs Wood, reflecting the walk’s simple beauty.”
Thomas goes on: “But one poem is a bit special. I put it into a glass frame and it rests beside the headstone in Bankfoot churchyard of a once dear friend. Whether it is still there – I would hope so.
“As far as I know, my predecessors the former poets Robert Nicoll and William Robertson did not exhibit some of their work out in the very countryside which so inspired them. But the countryside itself creates its own words beyond our understanding in sound and sight, far greater than words can reflect.”