Folly Dolly Falls - A poem by Clint Wastling

Birdsong drowns out gurgling water

and on a cold January day

the walk begins near a railway track--

investment too late to save the mines.

The path hugs the gorge

from which trees cling, supporting

a hierarchy of lichens, mosses, ferns.

All is green despite the penetrating cold.

Layers of sandstone faulted against shale

controls this landscape,

channelling the course of roaring water,

which drowns out birdsong.

In the dank, irriguous domain

I clamber mossy outcrops for photographs.

Here nature hushes human voices

but joy and hope remain.

Clint's poetry collection, from which Folly Dolly Falls is taken, is called Layers and is available from

Maytree Press and Tourist Information, Beverley.