Document 1476

The mill stands poised
like a fashion model,
displaying tones and textures
from Nature’s Collection.
Red pantiles drape the roof
with Madras cloth checks;
cornerstones seam sandstone walls
in shades of sorrel;
a skirt of grass borders the buildings
in a lush green velvet
polka-dotted with ducks.
A lamé pond shines like sequins in sun,
its silver surface slubbed
with the wake of waterfowl.
The mill wheel bobbin
purls water from the stream;
white cotton yarn unravels
from every paddle.
Beyond the drawn-thread fence,
is the corduroy of ploughed fields:
light and shadow ruffle the nap
into ripples of russet and chestnut.
Above, doves are appliquéd
on sky’s azure bunting,
pin feathers pointing to Phantassie
and dreams.