The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

The Ankerwycke Yew*

Why do you come and sit near me?
And why do you stand in my shade?
Why do you gaze at my ancient limbs?
To learn how your history was made?

You know Magna Carta was sealed here,
and Henry and Anne held their tryst,
but I won’t repeat what took place here,
nor acknowledge a pledge or a kiss.

I’ll never divulge what was said here
when King John and his barons met.
Nor tell if King Henry won Anne here,
though you wait for five centuries yet.

I am the Ankerwycke Yew tree,
boughed down by the secrets I’ve heard,
and though you may stand till sea turns to dry land,
those secrets will never be shared.
Those secrets will never be shared.



*The Ankerwycke Yew grows on the banks of the River Thames in Berkshire, UK. This amazing tree is over 1500 years old, possibly much older. It is thought to be the only still-living eyewitness to the signing of the Magna Carta, which took place at Runnymede, on the opposite bank of the river, in 1215. Lots of legends have grown up around this amazing tree, some of which are mentioned in this poem.

About the Writer


Rhona Stephens

Rhona grew up in Northern Ireland, went to university in Wales, moved to England for a while, then headed north of the border to live in Scotland. She loves words and music, living in the country and visiting the coast - especially the north coast of Ireland.