What Lies Beyond these Walls? (a project for two)

So over the past few days, I've been working on some little projects like my poem on Wales or this! This, being an assignment for two. Paige was my partner and our goal was to write one descriptive paragraph. After having done so, we'd give our paragraph to the other person and they'd write a paragraph of meaning, an essayistic interpretation. Mine focused on Lulworth Cove. The cove world-famous for geology and geomorphology is home to Durdle Door (a naturally occurring rock arch). It is also thought that the cove may have served as the inspiration for J.M. Barrie's Neverland. Paige's paragraph focuses on Tintern Abbey which is the source of inspiration for one of William Wordsworth's most famous poems. Anyway, both days (the day spent at the beach and the day when we read "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey" in Tintern Abbey) were fantastic! Oh, and at the cove, I saw the cutest little girl that looked exactly like the Coppertone Sunscreen Baby. She was super cute so I thought I'd mention it. Anyway, here goes!

Natalie:
The cove is a moment nearing paradise. All around, the craggy cliffs reach towards the sea and frame the water that rolls with the tide. The blueness of the sky reflects off the crystal water to create a seafoam blue approaching green which carries in the white bubbles that stir near my toes. All the shore is lined with pebbles and white-washed rocks some covered with green seaweed tendrils yet most clean, shining from their place. Out in the cove, the yachts and fishing boats rest, occasionally bobbing when a wave pulls in with power. Above the seagulls draw patterns in the sky not thinking of their landing place, but rather glorifying in their flight. The sun which glows across the landscape casts reflecting rays on every surface. In sunshine, the water glistens like a thousand flickering lights and the rocks shine as marble. All around the world is alive and one can only wonder what lies beyond these walls?

Paige:
Yet, this question seems too broad to even answer, for there will always be walls, whether you are standing within city gates or laying on a blanket in a lawn surrounded by a picket fence. When surrounded by these barriers we always seem to ask, "what lies beyond these walls?" Well, everything does. Beyond a fence lies a neighborhood, then a city with people, then a country and it continues until the universe is reached. We never seem to ask, "what lies within these walls?" Yet, we can never hope to answer the first question if we cannot answer the latter.

And for the second set:

Paige:
The walk turned from three miles to six which on a normal day would have been an annoyance. However, the soft green meadows surrounded by thick forest was a worthwhile setting. We reached the cobblestone town, winding past window shops and flower baskets. After rounding a corner I could see the poet's Abbey, the stone worn like the others I had seen. The outer view was grand but walking through the archways brought a greater sense of awe. The green, earthy floor scattered with daisies provided a striking contrast to the grayish-brown structure. The abbey seemed more massive at this angle. From the outside, the abbey seemed to have a roof. From the inside, the sky was the shelter.

Natalie:
It seems strange that a set of ruins or a green meadow can embody a change of perspective, yet that's exactly what had happened. What is it that moves us when a long hike becomes a pleasant trek or an old ruin a liberating edifice. I think it comes down to where we stand. A mathematician finds beauty in angles, a painter in contrasting perceptions. But as a writer, it all comes down to perspective. What are words but the representation of perspective, the mirror which reveals where we stand? When we stand in contemplation an arduous hike becomes worthwhile interaction with nature. When we stand in amazement the sky becomes the limitless bounds to the aged walls that seem to have forever stood. Much like a roofless abbey, our inspiration will always be dependent on our perspective.

-Natalie Cherie