Discover riddles written by members of the local community inspired nature and riddles contained in The Exeter Book (written around 970AD). These poems are part of the Green Words Poetry Anthology curated by Riddler in Residence Aly Stoneman.
What I Be by John Chrimes
One with the mulberry on Cathedral Green
tall over market stalls,
and the shady oak for wandering folk
beside the Roman walls.
In Northernhay before the sun
I follow foraging deer,
and past godwits on Goosemoor Marsh
I see salmon leap Trews Weir.
Hanged I heard three ‘witches’ high
Poor Mary, Su and Temperance too,
and below I know the Passages
where spring waters run through.
At St Michael and All Angels’ tower
I watch as peregrines fall,
and after dark under London planes
I sleep where furze-pigs crawl.
Like any other this life I live
is by way of flesh and tree,
and if you can rede this riddle
tell me who or what I be?
Riddle by Rod Stacy-Marks
I’m really sweet but I’ve got something that’s sometimes
worse than a bite (my bark).
There’s no hair on my pectorals (chest) but I’ve got plenty of spikes.
I have nothing to do with the cavalry or carriages except with their bolts.
Cut me, drown me, burn me. I might kill you if you don’t.
(If you’re bonkers for conkers you’re barking up the wrong tree)
Riddle by Theo
Like a chameleon I can change the colour of my skin,
Sometimes I stay in place or end up somewhere foreign,
Birds use me as their home or humans make me pose for a photogenic picture,
But the best part about me is the sound I make when the wind pops by to say hello.
Riddle by Canon Cate
I fell with a bounce
as I hardly weigh an ounce.
My skin may be tough,
but it’s never rough.
I’ve a middle that’s white
and can be holed with might.
When hit I can shatter
and my contents scatter.
I can be a winner
if others are thinner.
What am I?