Dec 12th, 2008 by Maree Anderson in My hubby found this poem by John Betjeman somewhere and brought it home for me to read. It really tickled his fancy and I just love it! So whimsical and delightfully evocative :-).
I can really see the girl he’s describing…. Mr Betjeman paints a masterful picture with his words. If I could be half as clever with my character descriptions, I’d be verrrry happy!
So here’s the poem – hope I don’t get into trouble for writing it here.
BTW, I didn’t even know who Russell Flint was before reading this poem. (He’s a famous watercolor artist by the way. Check out: www.sirwilliamrussellflint.co.uk.) Lovely stuff!
A Russell Flint by John Betjeman
I could not speak for amazement at your beauty
As you came, down the Garrick stair,
Grey-green eyes like the turbulent Atlantic
And floppy schoolgirl hair.
I could see you in a Sussex teashop,
Dressed in peasant weave and brogues,
Turning over, as firelight shone on brassware,
Last year’s tea-stained Vogues.
I could see you as a large-eyed student,
Frowning as you tried to learn,
Or, head flung back, the confident girl prefect,
Thrillingly kind and stern.
I could not speak for amazement at your beauty;
Yet when you spoke to me,
You were calm and gentle as a rock pool
Waiting, warm, for the sea.
Wave on wave, I plunged in them to meet you -
In wave on wave I drown;
Calm rock pool, on the shore of my security
Hold me when the tide goes down.
