London Time

 

A step in time I took one day

On specters mist who led the way

Down cobblestones and garden paths

Armless statues guarding baths

Armored beasts reflect the sun

Gallant knights are all for one

Hedge puzzles line the gardens fair

Hide and Seek for those that dare

Ladies clad in whale bone stays

Surreys pulled by chestnut bays

Sticky buns and honeyed mead

Cards and races slate the greed

Then on he led to shanty town

Down rows of tenements falling down

Sewage stench accosts the street

Where doxies in the alleys meet

Walking peddlers hawk their wares

And homeless children, no one cares

Disease spreads rampant through the town

Renaissance Art, the churches frown

Then through the mist he leads again

Back to my time; my heart to pen.

 

 

Reviews

[Musings]

Whooo hoo! Such a loverly poem indeed! Grabbed me from the begining and held on tight, didn't want it to end, but it did.

Couple of observations for whatever they are worth; the poem flows along on sweet trip through old London till about half way through when we are taken down the back roads of filth and despair, just seemed a bit jolting to me, not sure why. The other note would be that the last line, though a nice line, just didn't grab me as it should. I was wondering if it be more powerful if the first and last lines were similar, as if to "step" in and out of the poem .

Anyway, overall I really enjoyed the poem ! Thanks for sharing

[julian3]

I really liked this one - and not just because it reminds me of a couple of my own poems although that certainly doesn't hurt ;o) - but it is indeed a trip, of memory and imagination, across not only time but differing worlds of culture and tradition. Well done!

[Ray Hamilton]

Thanks for taking us through the garden with you
You paint a perfect picture throughout our journey
Although sad in places, a delightful piece of work
Very well penned
I enjoyed it thanks for taking us along with you
Ray { Not a Poet }