South London Sketch

From Bermondsey to

So many churches are,

Some with apsidal chancels,

Some

And schools by E.

R.

In the style of Norman

Where blue-serged adolescence

To model and to draw.

Oh, in among the houses,

The viaduct below,

Stood the Coffee Essence

Of Robinson and Co.

Burnt and brown and tumbled

And done with years

Where the waters of the Wandle

Lugubriously flow.

From dust of dead

From scarlet-hearted fires,

All unconcerned this train draws

And smoothly that

And calmly rise on smoky

Of intersected

The Nonconformist

And the Church of England spires.