I just placed a recording of this on my MySpace profile - http://myspace.com/walkaboutsverse

Poem 162 of 230: TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001

(TUNE:

E F# F# E D E F# F#
F# G G A B A G G
D G A A B B A A
F# G A B B A A-G G

D D F# F# F#-G F# E E
E E E E F# E D D)

Where traditions are not so rare;
Sea, country and works scent the air;
A multitude of monuments,
Planted tubs and patterned pavements.

The longish pedestrian malls;
The remnants of defensive walls;
Historic buildings are a gauge
Of the respect for heritage.

Wheat, rape and pines in the fields;
Estuaries guarded by shields;
Long sandy beaches and wide scenes;
Romantic-ruin go-betweens.

Rivers in parts licked by trees,
Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries,
And crossed by practical delights -
Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.

Fine churches headed at Durham;
Football kits ad infinitum;
Kept castles - one for study;
Masonry behind masonry.

And, with moulding-works out that way,
It's somewhere for a longer stay..?

(C) David Franks 2003
From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.webs.com (e-scroll)