Grand Residential Old Worthing Town

Oh how very earnestly pleasing
I do so find
The wide, sun splashed avenues
Of grand residential Worthing;
Where the old poets
Announce each and every corner;
So neatly squared and turned
By thoroughly conceived Victorian
Order.

Quiet sonnets reside here
Seeking haven from weary 
travels,
Sustained by appetizing foreign 
aromas,
Loitering amidst the long drawing 
shadows;
Clinging to the flinted garden walls,
Dallying with the scented Jasmine
From where hidden finches call.

Finding yourself gently led down
And into narrow, high walled 
streets;
That delightfully converge upon 
Bustling open spaces
Where the multi-nations meet;
And greet with quarrelsome gulls,
Strutting and yarking,
Barking like little dogs
Around our feet.

Here we can absently sit,
And make like carefree Parisians 
Separated by an English sea,
Whilst contentedly sipping scalding
coffees
Of exciting continental styles;
And forgetting our mundane 
troubles... 

Smile and laugh, for perhaps,
Just the shortest of whiles.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Fleming Avatar
January 2, 2016 at 5:19 AM
Hi, Joe. Worthing town is such a vibrant and beautifully set out place sat right on the south coast beach...A truly wonderful old town! I hope you can find your poem...Please let me know if you do. Many thanks, Joe...And my very best regards as always! :) john
Maverick Avatar
January 2, 2016 at 3:13 AM
Quite a while since I have visited Worthing John, I once wrote a poem there as it happens, wonder if I still have it.? it was on a notebooks old page, perhaps I shall come across it and post it on here.? enjoyed this immensely.'
Fleming Avatar
January 2, 2016 at 5:23 AM
Hi, Joe. Worthing town is such a vibrant and beautifully set out place sat right on the south coast beach...A truly wonderful old town! I hope you can find your poem...Please let me know if you do. Many thanks, Joe...And my very best regards as always! :) john
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 26, 2015 at 4:15 PM
Just perusing some of your earlier posts John. I always enjoy reading your poetry. This poem had a gentle calming affect on me as I read it while sipping my morning tea. Enchanting!
Fleming Avatar
September 27, 2015 at 12:44 PM
Hi, Connie. You are without doubt my favourite visitor! I am always so very pleased to know you have called around. I hope everything is going well for you and your family. My very best regards, Connie! Your friend always, :) john
Fleming Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 3:35 PM
Thank you, Peter! Considering Betjeman is one of my most favourite poets i will take your comment as a great compliment!! Cheers! :) john.
Holmes Avatar
February 14, 2015 at 5:58 PM
John Betjeman is jealous!...a lovely rhymned write..and thanks for your comments..Peter
Ward Avatar
February 14, 2015 at 9:39 AM
Wonderful! I admired your composition. My aunt and uncle (brother and sister to each other) retired to Worthing. Its gentility suited them. Best wishes, Alicia
Fleming Avatar
February 14, 2015 at 3:19 PM
Thank you, Alicia. Yes...Worthing is such a wonderful place! :) john.
Gray Avatar
February 10, 2015 at 8:16 AM
Loved this piece of contented beauty, scripted so elegantly beautiful !
Fleming Avatar
February 10, 2015 at 11:17 AM
Thanks, William! Worthing, situated on Englands south west coastline, is a truly lovely Victorian seaside town resort. It is without doubt one of my favourite places! Best regards! :) john.
Jones Avatar
January 9, 2015 at 7:53 PM
John, this is a brilliant piece of work. A 7 from me. I have such bad stage fright, I don't think I'd be able to read my poetry in front of anybody. Well done. :O) Keep up with the great work. Keep on penning. Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful and creative talents with us. We all truly appreciate it. *S* Cynthia
Jones Avatar
January 11, 2015 at 2:27 PM
:O) You are most welcome John. *S* Cynthia
Fleming Avatar
January 10, 2015 at 1:46 PM
Thank you, Cynthia! You are most welcome! :) john.
Squyres Avatar
January 3, 2015 at 3:49 PM
So glad I took this stroll with you... I can enjoy the coffee too !! I find it very Victorian and peaceful ... when will that dog go home? lol
Fleming Avatar
January 4, 2015 at 1:04 AM
The pleasure was all mine, Debra! Worthing is an incredibly relaxing old Victorian seaside town. I intend to write another poem about Worthing very soon...when i can find those damned elusive lines!! :) john. P.s I am glad you enjoyed the coffee; we must do it again some time! :)
Mcdaid Avatar
January 1, 2015 at 6:55 PM
A nice, atmospheric journey, John. Thanks for the trip.
Fleming Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 1:19 AM
Hi, Perry. Much obliged for the visit; and thanks for the kind comments! :) john.
Fleming Avatar
January 1, 2015 at 2:15 AM
Hi, Andrea. Worthing town is in the council district of Arum in the county of west Sussex. It is a seaside town on the south east coast of England. It is a very old settlement. The Victorians did a lot to develop Worthing: The beautiful pier started in 1861, many beautiful seafront hotels, and the stunning promenade! There is enough material here for me to write a lot more poetry...as indeed i will! Many thanks, Andrea! :) john.
Fleming Avatar
January 1, 2015 at 2:21 AM
Interesting note: When i parked up the car and walked down to the beach front, from the wide avenues into the narrow streets, i noticed that all the streets were named after the classical poets. Hence: "Where the old poets announce each and every corner". Cheers, Andrea! :) john.
Dietrich Avatar
January 1, 2015 at 2:00 AM
oh my goodness, this is so delightful. It reminds me of when I was at shadowpoetry and she represented our poetry "homes" with different houses. I lived on sonnet street i think , which is why I enjoyed your mention of quiet sonnets residing there. what an imaginative poem.
Haight Avatar
December 14, 2014 at 12:04 PM
Hi John, such a sentimental and very descriptive imagery of a lovely, calm place. I really enjoyed your poem. Thank you so much for stopping by my site with your encouraging comment. Sandra
Fleming Avatar
December 14, 2014 at 2:50 PM
Hi Sandra. Your most welcome! Nice to hear from you. :) john.
Johnson Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 11:05 AM
A seaside sentiment of afternoon delight. Where life becomes a painted picture of gentle heart stroked light. Peace. :)
Fleming Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 12:39 PM
Thank you for your kind remarks, Robert. cheers! :) john.
Lamoureux Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 12:35 AM
This made me think of the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" I like the mood you have created.
Fleming Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 12:35 PM
Thanks, Richard. I am pleased you enjoyed the poem. Cheers. :) john.
May Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 6:58 PM
A very good write John...I enjoyed its charm... best wishes
Fleming Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 12:23 PM
Thank you, Joseph. Your kind words are much appreciated! :) john.
Fleming Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 3:13 PM
Madam, be assured, the pleasure is all mine! Thank you kindly. :) john.
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