Ambleforth
In Ambleforth, I’m sure you’ll know,
they don’t have any words for snow.
The bakery sells only books
and libraries are staffed by cooks.
In Ambleforth, that strange old town,
where time runs backwards, up is down.
Dead leaves float up into the trees
then reattach and turn bright green.
In Ambleforth, that magic place,
where clocks have eyes but not a face.
A window’s view is never certain;
no wall is seen without a curtain.
In Ambleforth, whose narrow lanes,
are wide enough for landing planes.
They’ll welcome you with folded arms
and offer steak from vegan farms.
In Ambleforth, that town of chance,
where picnics chase down packs of ants.
‘Hello’ means ‘So long, goodbye’,
December sun warms like July.
In Ambleforth, that unique land,
where surprise parties must be planned.
Townsfolk go home to camp out,
then visit libraries to shout.
In Ambleforth, that scenic spot,
where water’s dry but land is not.
And where, as I am sure you’ll know,
they don’t have any words for snow.
they don’t have any words for snow.
The bakery sells only books
and libraries are staffed by cooks.
In Ambleforth, that strange old town,
where time runs backwards, up is down.
Dead leaves float up into the trees
then reattach and turn bright green.
In Ambleforth, that magic place,
where clocks have eyes but not a face.
A window’s view is never certain;
no wall is seen without a curtain.
In Ambleforth, whose narrow lanes,
are wide enough for landing planes.
They’ll welcome you with folded arms
and offer steak from vegan farms.
In Ambleforth, that town of chance,
where picnics chase down packs of ants.
‘Hello’ means ‘So long, goodbye’,
December sun warms like July.
In Ambleforth, that unique land,
where surprise parties must be planned.
Townsfolk go home to camp out,
then visit libraries to shout.
In Ambleforth, that scenic spot,
where water’s dry but land is not.
And where, as I am sure you’ll know,
they don’t have any words for snow.
This poem is copyright (©) Ian Brownlie 2025

About the Writer
Ian Brownlie
Ian lives with his family in Marlow, Bucks (UK). His prospective middle grade novel, Solomon Brown from Hero Town, was longlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition. His poems have been published in The Dirigible Balloon and The Toy.
BlueSky: @ianbrownlie.bsky.social
TikTok: tiktok.com/@ianbrownliewrites