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London Town: Primrose Hill

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Published: 1st May 2021

Images by OpenClipart-Vectors (phone box) from Pixabay and gR

This Poem was placed 1st in the "ALL YOURS May 25" Poetry Contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 23rd June 2021)

This is the 1st of five short poems I have written under the umbrella title of 'London Town'

Primrose Hill is a Grade II listed park located in the district of the same name.

hampstead and the city - as if sketched on primed white canvas appeared from on that bench divorced from time and standing still. a london without colour - ashen, silent, lying distant seemed subdued beneath the heat haze hanging down from primrose hill.

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John Watt

Date: 6/27/2022 10:54:00 PM

I have just spent a large portion of the last hour thumbing through images of David Gentleman's art, having wanted to experience a visual backdrop to this poetic gem. Thank you for recommending this artist to me, by the way. I particularly enjoyed his postcards of London series, and that could equally describe your quaint vignette. Several pleasing lines and images, but i was most struck by "divorced from time and standing still." I hope to visit the remainder of your London series soon. Lovely work.

John Watt
Date: 6/28/2022 1:41:00 PM

Stretched would be a valid word, though it would take my thoughts in a different direction. Survey says: "sketched" works best for me. It speaks of viewing the city as though it were a piece of art.

Gary Radice
Date: 6/28/2022 6:04:00 AM

Thanks John. Great to hear that Mr Gentleman may have another fan. It was his book 'David Gentleman's London' that helped inspire this particular poem. .Talking of which, I'm still undecided by a word in the second line; 'sketched' or 'stretched' ? :) Cheers - Gary

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 6/6/2021 7:24:00 AM

Beautiful

Gary Radice
Date: 6/6/2021 7:48:00 AM

Kai, thanks so much for your comments, not just on this poem but on each of the subsequent poems in the London Town series. I wasn't too sure how they would all go down with PS to be honest but I've really been encouraged with great comments such as your own. It's all very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne

Date: 5/26/2021 5:46:00 PM

Very sharp scenes caught in coupled words that grab one's attention. For example: ..."heat haze hanging down." Or a London..."ashen, silent." Congratulations, Gary! Be well. Brian

Gary Radice
Date: 5/27/2021 12:30:00 AM

Thank you Brian. It was one of those poems that I kept chopping and changing and couldn't leave alone..but I got there in the end and I'm really glad you like the imagery. Cheers - Gary

Jan Allison

Date: 5/26/2021 12:00:00 AM

such intense imagery, made me smile as i used to live in East Finchley when I worked as a private nanny, not thought of it in many a year:-) hugs Jan btw, many congrats on your win:-)

Gary Radice
Date: 5/26/2021 5:16:00 AM

Jan, thanks again for your valued comments. I always try to focus on the imagery so to read your comments was lovely. Cheers - Gary

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/24/2021 5:07:00 AM

A wonderful birds eye view of the city Gary. Congratulations on your win! Blessings

Gary Radice
Date: 5/24/2021 5:57:00 AM

Thank you Connie. :) Primrose Hill was literally and metaphorically a breath of fresh air for us on a morning away from the busy traffic of London. Cheers - Gary

Frances Schiavina

Date: 5/17/2021 6:58:00 AM

Congratulations on your beautiful winning poem sparkling with essence of serenity

Gary Radice
Date: 5/17/2021 7:47:00 AM

Thanks so much Frances! What you described is exactly what I wanted to capture. Cheers - Gary

David Holmes

Date: 5/12/2021 2:01:00 PM

Gary - Congratulations - this is a wonderful poem, the last stanza is so well done, I especially like this - "a london without colour - ashen, silent, lying distant" David

Gary Radice
Date: 5/12/2021 2:15:00 PM

Thanks David. It's one of several poems I'm putting together about London. Places that are a little off the usual tourist trail. Cheers - Gary

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 5/12/2021 6:58:00 AM

Lovely - Congrats. God bless you always, Love, Gina

Gary Radice
Date: 5/12/2021 7:40:00 AM

Hi Gina! Thank you so much! Cheers - Gary

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 5/12/2021 5:21:00 AM

i enjoyed this one very much; it really captures a snapshot scene in simple but effective language - congrats on your win in my contest!

Gary Radice
Date: 5/12/2021 7:35:00 AM

Charlotte, thanks so much for awarding my poem a win in your contest. It's very much appreciated - especially considering the amount of chopping and changing I made to the original piece. :) Thanks again! Cheers - Gary

Harry Horsman

Date: 5/4/2021 8:36:00 AM

A painting without colour, hangs on the horizon, wow i do like your wonderful poem, Gary, Has for London, also being a northerner, my first visit was in 1966 on my way to New Zealand where I and my family spent the next 36 years....Look forward to reading more from you vibrant pen. Harry

Gary Radice
Date: 5/4/2021 8:52:00 AM

hi Harry! Thank you for your great comments. I think London has some wonderful parks and places away from the main tourist attractions. I hope to write several more poems about these places that are off the beaten tourist track. Thanks again! Cheers - Gary

Geoffrey Brewer

Date: 5/3/2021 7:23:00 AM

These simple but elegant verses give me a warm nostalgia for the many years I spent in London. Thank you Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 5/3/2021 9:15:00 AM

Thank you Geoffrey. My wife and I love London (despite being northerners) :) and tend to spend a few days each year there. This poem is the first of several I am writing about The Big Smoke, inspired by a 91 year old watercolourist David Gentleman who despite living there for 60 years spent time rediscovering a city he thought he knew. I discovered his work online and think its brilliant.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 5/2/2021 11:55:00 AM

Very descriptive, Gary. Janice

Gary Radice
Date: 5/2/2021 12:13:00 PM

Thanks Janice for your visit, read and comments. It's all very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Brian Strand

Date: 5/2/2021 1:06:00 AM

Best wishes Gary with your 'London poetry project' a good start...evocative images

Gary Radice
Date: 5/2/2021 1:13:00 AM

Thanks Brian. I have to say that this poem has gone through several re-writes so there's a very good chance anyone who read it yesterday has got a new poem before them if they return today. :) ..but that's PS - and kudos to it for being so. Cheers - Gary