“Whether Forecast” is a panoramic landscape view from the viewing point at the Glen of Aherlow. The Glen of Aherlow is a valley located between Slievenamuck and the Galtee Mountains in the western part of County Tipperary in Eire.
Whether Forecast
It’s changeable, forecasters’ word,
but here an image interposed,
snow-capped above green fields of plain,
as if land fragile, cotton wool.
and juxtaposed where climates change.
Is this a front, as some would claim,
conspiracy, fake news in play
or is it leading edge of storm,
these signs of future brewing now,
the far horizon drawing close?
Theophany, head in the clouds,
on mountain top, valley below –
they thought the place where met with God,
sometimes with fire and column smoke –
will forest burn shift isobars?
This island site, where Celts at home,
used coracles to travel on,
blown spirit wind to spread their take
on faith, deep rooted nature’s brand,
the stewardship of global gifts.
So whether this or that is planned,
decisions made to move along,
sun streaming, rain, on patchwork quilt,
direction clear or ill defined,
though journey far, know hope remains.
© Stephen Kingsnorth 2020