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
If you enjoyed... Like and subscribe
Find more stories like this one bysigning up!