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“Undulating rivulets emerged when
Paleocene glacial ice had formed
Fluvial rifts worn in naked chalk hills,
Currents flowed over burnished boulders
Moving past numinous burial mounds.”
― Ruth Ann Oskolkoff, The Bones of the Poor

“Numerous gifted objects; black granite
Etchings, carved statues, broken goddesses,
Inscriptions, pottery, jewelry, rough-hewn
Garnets, flowers, consecrated herbs, skulls,
Gold ornaments, weapons, prized artifacts;
Sacrifices, ancestors� ageless prayers
Left with olden Father Thames. For them,
The sinuous streams were alive, full worlds
Of votive offerings inside murky depths,
Lifeblood pleas, observances thereafter
Troubles now vanished, solemn promises,
Treasures carefully bestowed upon
Spirits, watchful deities; faithfully
Invoking his ancient name Tamesas.”
― Ruth Ann Oskolkoff, The Bones of the Poor

“From seasonal splashes near Trewsbury
European eels migrate upstream;
Myriad carp, redfin perch, brook lamprey,
Dragonflies, mosquitoes, wee midges,
Pale cormorant, herring gulls, wagtails,
Swans glide round woodland tapestry,
Braided channel islands rest alone,
Arched medieval stone slab bridges,
Tree lines fête ash, alder, chestnut, beech.
Floodplains, tangled sedge reedbeds,
Owls speed above tree-covered islets,
Teaming alluvium water-meadows
Growing lavender, iris, marigold.”
― Ruth Ann Oskolkoff, The Bones of the Poor

“Father Thames drifts beside misty heath
Dark surfaces veil universes beneath,
Hushed verge our temple, tall hedge my altar,
Heeding eerie owl calls some reveal they
have heard, long-expected wintery freeze,
Unending run which travels further east,
Aquatic animals receive refuge below.”
― Ruth Ann Oskolkoff, The Bones of the Poor

“Visiting sheer essence of bog and fen,
Walking rough footpaths along edges
Slowly nearing home, greeting itinerant
Passers-by, contemplating end journeys
We all take, flying towards distant seas
Like great blue herons do, understanding
Harmony amid nature’s undulate ways
Of old river rhythms, oh Father Thames.”
― Ruth Ann Oskolkoff, The Bones of the Poor