Janet Knott

Canterbury Shaker Village

by Janet Knott

Not only does this National Landmark inspire the shaker values of simplicity and prayer, it also is a place to write some poetry.

A carpet of grass,
Yellow too-silk blowing in the wind.

Bees hum, afternoon sun-
Spring has sprung,
Maybe.

Birds fly, blue sky-
Let's dance.

A mustard-yellow clapboard Shaker dwelling house under a blue sky at Canterbury Shaker Village, New Hampshire.
Double doors open from a dark interior onto the green lawn at Canterbury Shaker Village.
Two large Shaker spinning wheels mounted high on a wall at Canterbury Shaker Village.
Shaker ladder-back chairs stored on a peg shelf in a post-and-beam loft at Canterbury Shaker Village.
A red-painted Shaker side chair against white paneling and a peg rail.
A gloved hand lifts a sheet of handmade paper embossed with a monogram at a Canterbury Shaker Village papermaking demonstration.
Red geraniums behind the old window panes of a Shaker building at Canterbury Shaker Village.
Photographer Janet Knott reflected in a window in a yellow hat, holding her phone, at Canterbury Shaker Village.
Branches and a meadow of yellow flowers mirrored in still water at Canterbury Shaker Village, New Hampshire.
Apple blossoms and village buildings reflected in water at Canterbury Shaker Village, New Hampshire.