John Fleming Poet Rhyme

The New Bypass

Clinging to sunny Bognors regal
skirts
At his Majesties most royal verges
The readied hand thrusts upon the 
lever,
And, shuddering, She forward lurches.

Clanking ominously over diesel fueled
growls,
Expediency, they said, was driven 
to ignore:
The raised up objections and anguished
frowns,
And track them under tracked-over 
ground.

For by unanimous vote they did smugly
decide,
Albeit tales of backhanders hotly denied,
That poor clymping Parish could no longer
abide
The daily through fare of the popular ride.

So when you next travel upon the new 
Bypass
Think of the local residents you no longer
harass;
Dwell on the advantages you formerly 
decried,
Whilst ripping through the greenbelt
to the jolly seaside.

Think of their tearooms, and the little
stone bridge,
Think of the old fort just beyond the sharp
ridge;
Think of their gift shops decked out with 
festoons,
With bright little trinkets, plates and silver
spoons.

For over and beyond the ancient on-looking
hills
Creeps an old warming wind that carefully
steals:
To gently gather up the wretched mechanical
sounds -
And bear them away above the pale, distant
Downs!

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Patricia Cresswell October 3, 2017 at 11:52 AM I dislike change that does not consider what wonders exist in its path. I realize that some change is necessary even good but must it be exclusive of the past. John Fleming October 4, 2017 at 7:44 AM I agree most heartily with you, Patricia. Although change is necessary for all things it is, in many, many cases, simply fueled by greed! Thank you, Patricia, for your continued support...I always appreciate it! :) john

Peter Lewis Holmes August 29, 2015 at 12:28 AM John...much of your excellent work is rooted in a romantic "Shelleyesque" bygone era...so it was refreshing to see your talents applied to a "real" human situation...something that can effect us all...I hope you will continue to write about current issues ....a great write!...Peter John Fleming August 29, 2015 at 1:06 PM Thank you, Peter. As always your remarks are most intuitive; as indeed is much of your poetry. You are quite correct. I sometimes get "Side-Tracked" when writing, and lapse into an "Old English" sort of language without even trying. Most peculiar! Many thanks for the visit and kind comments; Most appreciated! My very best regards, Peter! :) john

Cynthia Jones January 5, 2015 at 11:12 AM Some roads should just be left alone, because you miss what you aren't able to see anymore. Fantastic write John!! 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 Cynthia Jones January 5, 2015 at 12:53 PM I hear ya there my friend. :O) Yes. You are right. Nothing lasts forever. *S* Cynthia John Fleming January 5, 2015 at 12:28 PM I suppose i am very much a conservationist at heart, Cynthia...ahhh well!! Nothing last forever i guess. :) john.

Debra Squyres January 3, 2015 at 4:22 PM Progress isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Especially when it changes the landscape of an area... not to even speak of the atmosphere that is lost in the mix. Honored, I am, to have strolled through a few pieces of your craft. Now, I must give a few others attention as well that have been so kind as to drop by my page with comments. You have earned a fave from me as a writer/poet. :) John Fleming January 4, 2015 at 1:33 AM Thank you, Debra, for your time and all your kind comments; very much obliged!! Your friend, always. :) john.

John Fleming December 4, 2014 at 1:01 AM Thank you Maurice for the very fine compliments you have accorded me; i am most grateful! :) john.

Maurice Yvonne December 3, 2014 at 1:30 PM You are a very talented poet! I am adding you to my list of favorite poets.

Andrea Dietrich November 26, 2014 at 4:57 PM Yes, what you are telling me in the reply on my comment, that is what I thought you were talking about. Such a shame.

Laura Breidenthal November 24, 2014 at 2:58 PM Wow - this was utterly awesome! I could see it all; the language is so powerful and the imagery is vibrantly vivid. "Dwell on the advantages you formerly decried, Whilst ripping through the greenbelt to the jolly seaside." Those lines following them the next stanza...wow...that was brilliant. I love your work. Keep writing! I have enjoyed this very much. You're leaving a thought-provoking legacy for this Bypass. I'd like to go there someday.. Always, Laura Laura Breidenthal November 25, 2014 at 3:41 PM That sounds so lovely in every way! Sure wish I could live in an area like that! John Fleming November 24, 2014 at 7:13 PM Thank you, Laura. The South Chalkland Downs are an incredibly beautiful place. Running across the south of England with beautiful wooded valleys and sloping grassland, meadows, glades and stunning pastoral scenes, and quaint little villages and hamlets that date back to Tudor times. And not forgetting of course the sea, fantastic coastline, and the marvellous seaside town of Worthing...all of it truly lovely!! :-)

Carl Fraser November 24, 2014 at 10:40 AM Hi John, you have given us a wonderful history lesson in this piece, with magnificent flair that only an accomplished poet could so gracefully describe. Well written, blessings, Carl John Fleming November 24, 2014 at 11:28 AM Thank you, Carl. The sentiment is very much reciprocated i can assure you. Cheers! John.

Nette Onclaud November 23, 2014 at 2:27 PM welcome to soup, john... your artwork powerfully expresses a nostalgic mood deploring the loss of heritage.. well done!.. huggs John Fleming November 23, 2014 at 3:44 PM Thank you, Nette, your kind remarks are most appreciated! :-)

John Fleming November 23, 2014 at 12:38 PM Bognor Regis (formerly just Bognor) was given its Regal Suffix (Regis)in 1929 by a grateful George V. The town has the greatest amount of daily sunshine hours over the year in the UK. The King went there to receive medical care during a life threatening illness. The town is in the county of West Sussex in the beautiful Arun area surrounded by the South Chalkland Downs. And yes...you are correct! It is about a new Bypass that in all truth probably does not even need building. Ah well...progress!! Julia Ward February 23, 2015 at 5:24 AM You know what George V said when Bognor was recommended to him again - B (swear word) Bognor. --- I know the town very well as my Aunt lived there for many years. --- Hugs, Alicia, xx

Andrea Dietrich November 23, 2014 at 11:48 AM wow, this really lets the imagination go wild thinking what it looked like!!at the very first I thought it was about a ship and then a train and now I think it was just a route , a wonderful scenic route. very well described!!! John Fleming November 23, 2014 at 12:50 PM Thanks Andrea. Basically it is about a new Bypass (Route) that is being constructed as we speak in the most southern part of England known as the south Downs...the area is absolutely beautiful!! It will Bypass many small villages and hamlets thus depriving many people of a much needed income generated by their cottage industries. "Work for the lads" methinks. There is, of course, the faint odour of corruption and the sickly smell of "Sweeteners". Nothing new there then! :)

Anne-Lise Andresen November 23, 2014 at 4:26 AM - John, an interesting poem - The poesi in a poem ..... the wonder in it ... it is life enchantment - who can describe it? - very well written - // Anne-Lise :) John Fleming November 23, 2014 at 4:37 AM Thank you for your kind words, Anne-lise. P.s you write some very beautiful poetic lines. :)