Letters from Yorkshire

maura dooley

“In February, digging his garden, planting potatoes”

This line sets the scene in a rural setting, indicating that the man is engaged in agricultural work.

The mention of February suggests a time of year when such tasks are physically demanding, highlighting his connection to the land and the cyclical nature of rural life.

"His knuckles singing"

uses personification to evoke the idea of physical labor and the natural world.

The "singing" suggests that the speaker’s correspondent is so involved in his work that even his body is attuned to it, creating a sense of connection to the earth and the rural life.

"It's not romance, simply how things are"

This line suggests that the relationship between the speaker and the recipient of the letters is not driven by idealized romance but by a realistic, practical connection.

speaker acknowledges that despite the emotional depth of their bond, it is grounded in reality and shared experiences, rather than fantasy.

“You out there, in the cold,”

This line highlights the man's immersion in nature, observing the changing seasons firsthand.

The cold emphasises the challenges of rural life, contrasting with the speaker's more sheltered existence, and underscores the man's attunement to the natural world.

double cesura to reflect separation

“me with my heartful of headlines feeding words onto a blank screen”

This line contrasts the speaker's urban, media-driven life with the man's rural existence.

“Heartful of headlines” suggests an emotional response to news,

“feeding words onto a blank screen” implies a sense of detachment or emptiness in her work, highlighting the disparity between their daily experiences

“Is your life more real because you dig and sow?”

This question reflects the speaker's contemplation of the authenticity and fulfillment found in manual labor and a life closely connected to nature. It suggests a sense of longing or admiration for the simplicity and tangible results of the man's lifestyle.

“pouring air and light into an envelope”

This metaphor suggests that the man's letters bring vitality and brightness into the speaker's life, offering a sense of warmth and connection.

It conveys the idea that his words have the power to uplift and illuminate her world, despite the physical distance between them.​

“our souls tap out messages across the icy miles”

This closing line encapsulates the enduring emotional connection between the speaker and the man.

Despite the physical separation and the challenges posed by distance, their bond remains strong, communicated through heartfelt messages that transcend the cold miles between them.