When walking and sketching on the South Downs, I can't help being drawn by the shapes and texture of hawthorn trees as they lean eastwards to escape the sculptural effect of the prevailing winds. Lone trees in silhouette against the horizon have a strange beauty, often echoing the soft curves of the downs.
Close up, the hawthorn appears gnarled, twisted and impenetrable. In winter when viewed from a distance, clumps of hawthorn together with other varieties form thickets creating abstract patterns of raw umber, set off against patches of green cropped turf and blue sky (see the photo below).
It is already November and soon I can look forward to the sprinkle of white blossom from the blackthorn in March.
Beware the oak-
It courts the stroke,
Beware the ash-
It courts the flash,
Creep under the thorn-
It will save you from harm.
No comments:
Post a Comment