There lies a place that shall be


    known as Leafy.


    Known to some as districts,


    Others as wards.


    But,


    on this sunrise of the


    first month of summer,


    It is,


    Was,


    And will always be Leafy.


    During school I was ferried in and


    out on a daily basis:


    Entering the Southern Edge,


    Occasionally going home via the


    artery roads North.


    Through two phases of work I saw


    its eastern boundary;


    The high canopied ridges that gave views


    to the towers that produced their own clouds.


    It''s hard to say where the western


    bit begins:


    Although in two cases it is after a descent


    from hill crest to dell.


    Now, in a new phase,


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.I am taken back into Leafy.


    Its walls of glaze,


    stone, perennials and


    manicured hedges.


    Its emerald canopy plus the matching,


    living ceiling over


    the parks and golf courses;


    Where a squirrel can not only cross a dual


    carriageway;


    But reach the crest of School Hill without touching


    the ground.


    Yet despite these journeys,


    I do not think that this is the


    only Leafy.


    For on Week''s End I rise through what


    could be another:


    Ascending then descending through an


    avenue of Planes.


    Whose pillars and canopies frame the sky in


    winter or summer;


    With views to the district centre I have visited


    more than any other,


    And the verse on the church noticeboard that


    provides food for thought.


    There is another route to the First Leafy.


    Via a climbing road beyond the place of


    Hunt''s Cross.


    A long-held goal was to walk up this route


    into the tree-swathed hills,


    And buy a cake and a smoothie in the village


    on-top.


    Too far some say.


    You wouldn''t get back in time say others.


    But, one late September day,


    When autumn had not truly got


    underway,


    A group of us walked up the Hill


    called Camp,


    Enjoyed the warm sun and


    sat on the warm grass,


    Took in the view of the cobalt mountains beyond


    two estuaries,


    Whilst I remembered that I was finally sat


    on the hill that I had long wanted to climb:


    Leafy.