East to West

East to West

(Isle of Wight 1957)

Penny, tuppence, shilling shining down the stairs and out

Frank James and all that ail there and then across the town

Thomas the library cat stretches as the Town Hall Clock chimes the start of the shipyard day

Sheltering beneath the Umbrella Tree three ladies await the number four to Ryde

Straining riverside blood rust chains bleed ringing into the tide

To cross the Medina on the ferry bridge to reach the other side

Rope loft sing song sewing sheets for sailors drowns out the smell of jute and canvas

Lying in state the lonely Princess cocooned forever in her silver shroud glistens in the rain

Relentless rivet guns rattle clatter shattering through the majesty of the moment

Shrieking gulls swoop and wheel into the air from the Thetis Wharf Crane

The rain is heavier now its blowing up a storm