Calling all local artists who have entertained and sustained us with your thrilling theatrical productions, right here in Reading and beyond – we miss you, the world is a drab place without you… But the fabulous Rabble Theatre Company, led by the inspirational Dani and Toby Davies, have devised an ingenious way of keeping theatre alive, online – and you can join for a free trial!
Darlington Railway Station, Adam Brookes
If asked what he thinks is the best poem he ever wrote John is inclined to put forward one that was inspired several hundred miles from Reading.
“I felt that the way the verse form changed from verse two to three reflected perfectly the change of mood from darkness and gloom to light and hope. I wonder if readers will agree!”
With which we conclude this selection.
St Giles’, Southampton Street
Here is another poem engendered in St Giles’ Churchyard, a fruitful source of inspiration, like St Mary’s.
Reading International Billboards on Crown Street
The next piece is a light-hearted parody of William Butler Yeats’s great poem, Sailing to Byzantium, which begins ‘That is no country for old men. / The young in one another’s arms,’
St Giles’ Church
St Laurence’s and the Blade
The next poem proved popular at the poetry readings at the Retreat and was also published in the Civic Society’s newsletter in a survey of views on ‘The Blade’.
Canal in the evening
A KENNET HAIKU
Still serene the swan
Takes an after-twilight cruise
Gliding through black ink2007
St Mary’s Churchyard
The next poem is one of several inspired by the gravestones and other features in St Mary’s Churchyard.
Horseshoe Bridge at Kennet Mouth
Swan and Cygnets
County Lock – once a centre of industry on the Kennet
John admits to a perverse pleasure from composing very long titles for very short poems, as here.
Ophelia (1851-2) by Sir John Everett Millais. Photo © Tate.
Today we have two poems about Ophelia in Reading.
Fobney Lock
John Dearing has kindly assembled for us a selection of poems, mostly very short, mainly inspired, if that is the right word, by the familiar scenes in and around Katesgrove and the River Kennet.
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