Skipton Castle

Skipton Castle

Skipton Castle stood massive grey

surrounded by the rush and splash of water.

Rain raked and rent the air with silver rods,

lashing the feather nakedness of winter branches

which sought the solace of the winter sun.

The ivy smothered elms,

the mossed trunks of ancient oaks,

wept rivulets.

Below, the mud bogged narrow path,

divided  medieval moat and modern drainage channel.

White foam fleeced stark banks,

all bleak and starved of colour,

but for an edge of green,

and the silver of the water.