London Rises

This poem was inspired by a conversation with an old man who was a long-time London resident and enthusiast

From the river, London rises

From the river, London rises Stone and steel and dark surprises

From the river, London rises Stone and steel and dark surprises From ships and trade and bustling docks

From the river, London rises Stone and steel and dark surprises From ships and trade and bustling docks Through taverns, intrigue and tower blocks

In these streets, the world was made

In these streets, the world was made An impact global, no sign of fade

Through plague, and smog, and inferno's heat

Through plague, and smog, and inferno's heat Through perils, bombs, and near defeat

Through plague, and smog, and inferno's heat Through perils, bombs, and near defeat London stands, still standing tall

Through plague, and smog, and inferno's heat Through perils, bombs, and near defeat London stands, still standing tall Bustling, churning, defying all

From boy, to man, to pension age

From boy, to man, to pension age Through fool and glory, to wisdom sage

From boy, to man, to pension age Through fool and glory, to wisdom sage I have seen this city grow

From boy, to man, to pension age Through fool and glory, to wisdom sage I have seen this city grow From Hitler's thrust, to Churchill's 'no'

But as the nurses mill around

But as the nurses mill around It approaches my last day on this ground

But as the nurses mill around It approaches my last day on this ground But before I take my dying breath

But as the nurses mill around It approaches my last day on this ground But before I take my dying breath I make this one last request

That you take these cold and blistered feet

That you take these cold and blistered feet On one last walk through London's streets

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