Oh Where Did England Go? by Arthur L Wood - Original Poem

[@miladydewinter8551]

A work of genius

[@constantinelerounis7750]

Beautiful Arthur. It applies to most European countries unfortunately

[@rosiejack9069]

A modern masterpiece. Well done. 😊

[@eraserhd79]

That was beautiful. It echoes many broken hearts here in the states who ask a similar question.

[@geraldinehughes4490]

Wicked good Arthur where’s that castle again. . .! Giggles all around! G

[@ArthurLWood]

I took my car and headed west, What did I hope to find? I saw a land exposed and dead, To evil thoughts inclined; Woods and fields cordoned off And madness like the glow. If England once was here, then where Oh where did England go? I stopped my car, I found a tree And sat beneath its shade, Around my hapless head a holy Hot mosquito played; And I let him suck my blood He drank me deep and slow. If England once was here, then where Oh where did England go? He left me in that sunshine With loving on my mind, I wandered to the village, What did I hope to find? I found the private property And signs declaring no. If England once was here, then where Oh where did England go? I made a missionary noise, A tear fell from my eye, For everything that’s good this world Soon must crucify; I thought myself ridiculous, Like an actor in a show. If England once was here, then where Oh where did England go? I saw a beauteous maiden Upon the village green, Unspoilt by civilisation She was hardy and serene; I thought that I should speak to her, For love, I longed to know. If England once was here, then where Oh where did England go? She looked up stern and sudden When I said to her ‘Good day’, And gave me that sarcastic smile I know means, ‘Go away’. And so I went, dejected, To where the wild winds blow. If England once was here, then where Oh where did England go? I sat beneath the tree again, I longed to find my friend Who shared my blood and wanted nothing But to never end; My fly he never materialised, Though I stayed the whole day through. If England once was here, then where Oh where did England go? I took my car, I headed home, And pondered on the age, Where we are all the animals In our self-made cage, I went with heavy thoughts of life And lighter notes of woe. If England once was here, then where Oh where did England go?

[@chrishansenbiz]

An animal, yes. But more than that. A highly evolved mammal. Still, no better caged than a rat.

[@nancychiavetta1351]

Just a biological note: Only the female mosquito 🦟 bites: she needs the blood tribute to lay her eggs.

[@ArthurLWood]

Oh very useful info! Will amend accordingly! Thank you ☺️

[@floriandiazpesantes573]

😂indeed!

[@floriandiazpesantes573]

Another extraordinary poem, Arthur!

[@PhileneAlvarado]

Arthur, My ancestors from the countryside of England, Ireland, and Scotland came to Virginia colony in 1659. They brought with them a rich life, with a coat of arms, and a title...However, I learned it was not the heirs that came here, so much as the spares. Their descendants received land grants in Virginia in the 1700.s, awarded by The King of England! They replicated the rich lifestyle here, and there was a book called "The Aristocrats of Virginia" written, about my ancestors and several others. In keeping with your profoundly stirring poem, my mother's family, her parents, and several generations back from me, ran into the opposite of that lifestyle. The wars upon Indian's Tribal lands were fierce, and the settlers kept getting pushed further west and deeper south...my family married into the Powhatan tribe, in Early Virginia, Shawnee in W. Virgina, and Cherokee in North Carolina. All of them had life brutally difficult, and with the discovery of gold in the mountains of N. Georgia...Andrew Jackson created the Deadly Trail of Tears, Removal Act. Your eloquently written and spoken poem could also be said of the places in the East of America where my relatives once lived sumptuous lives, in plantations, with all the finest things... I am a writer, and poet...I have written a few poems about them. I would have to go into my archive to find those, but if you're ever interested , it would be an honor. My name is Phllene Alvarado, and you can find me on Facebook...I have an old acct with no activity, but my active one you will see me, in a blue dress and hat. Thank you Arthur, you've given me great joy in finding a kindred poet.

[@schutrum]

This is moving and I think can apply to anyone, even if not in England. The sense of alienation and loss combined with references to his car make it relatable and modern, while some of the word choices and cadence make it seem like a classic. The song selection perfectly matches the mood too. Glad I came across this!

[@ArthurLWood]

Thank you! I have since made a few changes to the poem, hopefully improvements, and it’ll be in my upcoming collection. I have a few other original poems here on my channel, hope you like them.

[@exildoc]

So soon I shall leave my self-made cage! How wonderful and spend many an hours with your precious poetry!

[@zitternden]

I was searching KZbin for someone reading A Dream of Fair Women by Tennyson. So I clicked on one video, and before the guy was finished with the first stanza I killed it! Then I found The Lady of Shalott read by you, and you have a great voice for reading poems. I listened to the whole poem. Very well done.