Intrduction -Byron’s Sonnet
If I can say the lines that make her mine,
and stay from speaking trite words she would hate,
but rather play her praise of golden weight,
then homage I would make gods so divine.
For weeks now she’s been ever close in mind,
just knowing I will be soon introduced,
Lord James hath promised daughter seen reclused
when she returns from Convent River Tyne.
A maiden fair taught by nuns marriage age,
whom I saw Yule past close to parents keep
arriving late in a rich handsome stage.
Now patient waiting time’s reward will reap
surcease of strain her close presence engage
with hope instilling joyous great heart leap.
SUBMARINE
It was Navy Day on the River Tyne*
I can remember I was about nine.
Four big grey warships to be seen
And a small black submarine.
The big ships were truly splendid
With flags and lights. They reminded
Me of olden days when ships had sails
And lots of well-polished brass rails.
But the sub
was menacing.
Small, black,
Powerful.
Like a mamba snake.
Inside it was tiny,
Comfort reduced
to minimum,
For maximum ability
to attack.
The flotilla put to sea together that evening
Flags a-flutter, big and proud, fast-steaming
Bands were playing, line-ahead formation.
Mighty, visible symbols of a naval nation.
But the sub
went alone,
and dived
below
the waves
silently -
waiting.
…………………………………………………………………………….
*River Tyne – a small but deep river in England, with extensive port facilities.
GATESHEAD 1954
My home’s between vinegar factory
And a small-time scrap metal dealer
This town is an ugly and grimy
Industrial place - and it doesn’t get any realer
Like rich woman next door to a poor one
Newcastle’s ashamed of her dowdy neighbour
Like San Francisco is of Oakland
Or Washington is of Baltimore
Our shared property fence, the Tyne
Bridges are landmarks of Newcastle, it’s said
But lead to nowhere across the river line,
To my home, grimy Gateshead. **
It is a shadow town, all but dead
And no one really cares - the best can be said
About coming from Gateshead
Is…..coming from Gateshead.
**Gateshead – a large heavily industrialized town across the River Tyne from Newcastle,
England.