Desiderium, by Maria Giles

Published in

Sydney Gardens Bath

2 min readNov 11, 2021

Sydney Gardens Tree Weekender writing competition — this piece was selected by our volunteer judges as worthy to be included on a long list. Competition entrants were asked to write a poem or prose piece of 250 words or fewer on the theme of trees in parks and public gardens, as well as identify the local park or garden, the trees in which inspired them.

Rain Soft and slow Lost in branches Shadows shattering The light reflected. The shock As a drop falls Sharp on the skin Leaves retracting, Mourning, Springing back in recession To recollect the weight. Smoothness of movement Disrupted By an unharmonious Thudding. The bitter respite, Repeat, loss. Always there, The water falling Passed by the tree With sympathy to hide The water of eyes. That shelter — Strength in the cold, A permanence of comfort To match impermanence of feeling, The sentiment i

The Vines, Vines Lane, Rochester, Kent

Maria Giles is currently in her final year at college, studying the IB and hoping to continue her love for English literature at university. It is the current wet weather that provides a sort of serenity for her that has inspired this poem.

Read other long listed pieces here. From 24 November, discover whether this piece made the shortlist — you can listen to it using the Echoes.xyz app either within or around Sydney Gardens in Bath or remotely.

Find out about all the events running on-line or in Sydney Gardens over the Tree Weekender on 27 & 28 November 2021, and look out especially for the Celebratory Finale Showcase at which the Competition winners and runners-up will be announced.

With special thanks to Dr Richard White and undergraduate students in Participatory Media at Bath Spa University for their support in making the geo-located audio pieces.

Desiderium, by Maria Giles

Written by Susan Palmer