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The idea of order ​

The idea of order at Ashridge School of Management ​
​
The suddenness that subtly rips
the incongruous bits off and flings
wayward parts across the manicured lawns
and leaves lying gathered towards
the ordered piles of next season’s compost

is not unlike the edges of the flower beds
in our well-mannered conversations
among the abundant pleasant order
secured with trimmer, clipper, secateurs
and the far more noisy mower.

From where we sit we can see a tree
that according to the plaque on its trunk
was planted in the reign of Queen Victoria.
It would take a mere minute to walk to it
and turn to face the facade of the estate’s
historic mansion with its tasteful touches of modernity.

~ ~ ~

The idea of order at Southern Star Abbey

My soul’s known it
since the first cell split
and I can see it still;

a line of trees,
a herd of cows,
a rump of hill

and slanting light
gently raining on
glinting waves of
wet green grass.


Damian Ruth