Asturian Raised Granaries Poem by Robert Melliard

Horreos and paneras are so unique
that there'd be queues of tourists
if such granaries were found in England.

There'd be signs for miles ahead
and details would be studied,
like old stone steps which lead to entrances
with gaps to stop the mice and rats,
or yokes and hooks and harnesses
on broad-planked oak or chestnut walls,
or carved and sometimes painted doors,
or pillars which keep wooden floors
high above the mud and damp
(great tapered chunks of stone or wood,
or piles of slate, all topped with slabs of stone
to stop the rodents once again) .

Their balustrades would be in PhDs
and the corn and beans and onions
hung up to dry on south-facing facades
would be the stuff of countless paintings.