Once monolith beacon
to gypsies, ruffians,
and stone-soup pilferers;
Then dusted off to toast
frigid winter digits in
yellow-warm inglenooks;
Yet it rests, comfy
within our poet souls
as we cozy up.
Blood of their blood,
heart of their hearts,
our church of words.
Looking for inspiration by scrolling through images of Inglenooks, the one at Calder Abbey house caught my eye. It looks cozy but also so beautiful! Looking further, to find more info on the house, I learned that it was built from the ruins of the 12th century abbey. Further,
The Rev Johnson (local source) points out one of the many features of the Calder site: ‘Half way to the village of Calderbridge is a stone called the Sanctuary stone. If any criminal or man on the run reached that stone he could claim sanctuary and safety.’
Source of quote here.
Image credit: The inglenook in Calder Abbey house by Alan Cleaver
Linda Lee Lyberg is today’s host of dVerse. Linda says:
Today is Monday and that means it’s time for dVerse’s own creation- the Quadrille. For those of you new to dVerse, the quadrille is a 44 word poem exactly, excluding the title. The word today is Inglenook.
Tao Talk 
Lisa- Love the background you provided to the photo. Can you imagine the stories that inglenook could tell? And BTW- that music- perfect setting!
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Many thanks, Linda, and yes, would love to know those stories :)
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‘Blood of their blood,
heart of their hearts,
our church of words.’
Amen to that! I love this sanctuary-church of poetry, especially when outside there is so much darkness and despair…
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<3 Thank you, Ingrid. Yes.
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I love the safety in our church of words… the true inglenook is maybe a book.
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Thanks, Bjorn.
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Wow, I am stunned by your words! There truly is a safety in our world of literature and poetry. Where else can we hide when things turn for the worse? I now want to rest by a fireplace, a poetry book in hand, with a warm cup of cocoa added with some marshmallows. With my cat in my lap too, can’t forget about the cats, eh Lisa? They’re pretty hard to! ;)
Yes. Your poem makes me feel like that.
This is beautifully penned in your unique style, one that always captivates my mind, rendering me speechless at the imageries you evoke. Amazing, amazing work, Lisa. <3 <3
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Thank you very much for your feedback and kind words.
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That is quite a cosy corner. I’m wondering about how they keep that fire in without traipsing across the lovely carpet with logs every so often, and who cleans up afterwards. Living in a house with a wood stove as only source of heating, I know how filthy they are. Picturesque though :)
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Maybe its one of those kinds that opens on the back to feed the wood and do the dirty work? Yes very :)
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That sounds like a modern innovation to me. In the good old days the servants saw to it, no problem :)
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We dirtied up our carpet with cord wood for year, now a clean gas insert resides there. Your poem is lovely, stirring, cozy, even huggable, and the wordsmanship is wonderful
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Yes cord wood is messy and non-stop work. I’m using electric registers this year and it’s going to cost a fortune, even with the thermostat set at 65.
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p.s. Thank you for the kind words :)
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This is incredibly incredibly comforting, Lisa! I loved every word 💝💝
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<3 Thank you so much, Sanaa.
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Well, I haven’t been “in church” in a while, Lisa, so thanks for bringing me along!
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I could have sworn I heard your voice singing hymns, Ron. You’re very welcome :)
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This photo seems to depict a true inglenook, and your words are marvelous. Great to hear the history as well.
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Beverly thank you. Yes, it is. I also learned that inglenooks were a frequent feature of Frank Lloyd Wright homes.
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The image is incredibly lovely … a place for sitting, dreaming … and writing. Your poem is as lovely as the inglenook you shared.
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<3 Helen thank you very much.
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Love your poem Li.
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:) Thank you, Sadje. Glad you enjoyed it.
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You’re welcome 😉
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A sanctuary – church of our words. A place to comfort the soul.
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<3 Amen!
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our church of words is really cool Lisa…never in my life have I heard that line…really good.
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Thank you very much, Max. I was led to the picture, the story, and the words of the poem.
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Inspiration is a wonderful thing.
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You have a great talent, my friend. 🌞
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Thank you :)
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How interesting to learn all about inglenooks today. The history of the Calder site and the criminals claiming sanctuary does stir up some haunting vibes. Very cool you tapped into that history for this mystical poem. ✨
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Tricia I’m glad you enjoyed learning about the history of the site, and yes there are many inglenooks to visit and be warmed by today. Thank you.
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You’re welcome!
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Your first verse is so much fun for me, Lisa. I just love it.
The whole poem is lovely and creative :-)
Sincerely,
David
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So happy you enjoyed my offering for the prompt, David. Thank you very much. Hoping you wrote one also and will be looking for it.
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The inglenook in the image looks very formal but cosy at the same time – mine are nothing like that! I love the two final stanzas – they sum up the dVerse Poets Pub perfectly too.
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Thank you, Kim. I would love to have an inglenook like the one in the image and have wonderful holiday parties around it. (a person can dream :) )
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Beautiful and welcoming in all respects. (K)
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Thanks much, Kerfe.
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That’s one fancy inglenook fireplace there. Love the poem.
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Glad you like the fancy inglenook and enjoyed the poem, Misky.
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An ornate inglenook for sure…enjoyed your wonderful poetry, Lisa, and the look inside Calder Abbey House.
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Many thanks, Lynn.
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my pleasure :)
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So cosy, warm and comforting…your words! ❤️
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I know you can relate as you build churches with your words also, Punam <3
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That is such a lovely thing to say, Li! Thanks a lot! ❤️
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You’re most welcome, my friend.
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Yes that looked like what you described to a ‘T’. Beautiful Lisa.
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Thank you, Christine.
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I would love to sit here and write. Lovely poem.
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Many thanks, Sara. It does look cozy!
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