The South Country Comments

As soon as I hear the first two lines of this poem, I am transported back to the 1950s, sitting on my father's knee and listening to him reading.. It was one of his favourites and is one of mine too. Other special poems for us were Lepanto by G.K. Chesterton and Cargoes by John Masefield. These poems bring my Dad back to me!

This poem has traveled with me since I was a schoolgirl in the south of England. Now that I live thousands of miles, and many years, away I still recite the words in my mind as I walk on a day with that certain scent of fallen leaves and snapping air.

Avery haunting poem. I do think of the men who were boys when I was a boy and realise that there are not many of us left now.

Being born in Eastbourne too many years ago, and now living in the North, I love this poem. It's bitter sweet though. As much as I love Northumberland, this makes me yearn for the county of my birth and can make me homesick. Unfortunately, I will never be able to afford a house in the high woods, nor will I drink with the men who were boys with me as I live too faraway. Buti do feel a little closer to home whenever I read this masterpiece