South London Sketch
John Betjeman
From Bermondsey to Wandsworth So many churches are, Some with apsidal chancels, Some Perpendicular And schools by E.R. Robson In the style of Norman Shaw Where blue-serged adolescence learn'd To model and to draw. Oh, in among the houses, The viaduct below, Stood the Coffee Essence Factory Of Robinson and Co. Burnt and brown and tumbled down And done with years ago Where the waters of the Wandle do Lugubriously flow. From dust of dead explosions From scarlet-hearted fires, All unconcerned this train draws in And smoothly that retires And calmly rise on smoky skies Of intersected wires The Nonconformist spirelets And the Church of England spires.
Next 10 Poems
- John Betjeman : Sun And Fun
- John Betjeman : The Cottage Hospital
- John Betjeman : The Hon. Sec.
- John Betjeman : The Irish Unionist's Farewell To Greta Hellastrom In 1922
- John Betjeman : The Last Laugh
- John Betjeman : The Licorice Fields At Pontefract
- John Betjeman : The Olympic Girl
- John Betjeman : The Plantster's Vision
- John Betjeman : Trebetherick
- John Betjeman : Upper Lambourne
Previous 10 Poems
- John Betjeman : Slough
- John Betjeman : Senex
- John Betjeman : Seaside Golf
- John Betjeman : On A Portrait Of A Deaf Man
- John Betjeman : Myfanwy
- John Betjeman : Mortality
- John Betjeman : Middlesex
- John Betjeman : Meditation On The A30
- John Betjeman : Loneliness
- John Betjeman : Lenten Thoughts Of A High Anglican