Addison's Walk

On the grounds of Magdalen College at Oxford University, a lovely walking space can be found.

Addison's Walk.

A favorite of CS Lewis. He walked it nearly every day.

My mind wandered throughout our walk. Was I stepping on the exact spot he tread? Silly, I know, but wow. CS Lewis walked this same path. And a beautiful one it was.

I read he, along with Hugo Dyson and JRR Tolkien "began (in Addison's Walk just after dinner) on metaphor and myth-interrupted by a rush of wind which came so suddenly on the still warm evening and sent so many leaves pattering down that we thought it was raining..."

When we were there, it really was raining. Not hard. Just enough to keep us under the canopy of leaves in the above photo. I didn't mind. Just kept me there on the path a bit longer.

There are many deer in the reserve. Magnificent creatures. A lovely sight.

Along the way, we found this plaque. On it, the words of the poem CS Lewis wrote are engraved.

                                     What the bird said early in the year

I heard in Addison's Walk a bird sing clear:
This year the summer will come true. 
This year. This year. 

Winds will not strip the blossom from the apple trees
This year, not want of rain destroy the peas. 

This year time's nature will no more defeat you, 
Nor all the promised moments in their passing cheat you. 

This time they will not lead you round and back 
To Autumn, one year older, by the well-worn track.

This year, this year, as all these flowers foretell, 
We shall escape the circle and undo the spell. 

Often deceived, yet open once again your heart,
Quick, quick, quick, quick!
The gates are drawn apart