Napoleon in York UK 1940s

      
                
          
Beside the bridge in Ousegate,          
Boyes stood all those years          
haberberdashery and toys          
clothes scattered, retail confusion          
not smart as Leake and Thorpe .      
 the river Ouse flows         
since the Romans came          
in galleons and helmets  
disembarking on the wooden jetty         
King's Staithe they call it.          
Sand banks against the bridge          
floods almost every yea.r          
Down the steps          
beside Jay's furniture.          
Watch the barges snub their way          
beneath Ouse Bridge,          
Napoleon in the tobacco shop          
arm tucked in his jacket.          
Home and Colonial, Maypole,          
Hill's boat yard by Lendal Bridge          
rowing boats and steamers.          
Churches everywhere          
One on Nessgate corner,          
PC Dodsworth controlling traffic          
quick or you lose your turn.         
All Saints Pavement, bicycles          
hold their breath,squeezing          
passed West Yorkshire buses          
double decked and red,          
Lantern Tower and Freemans' Church          
Hook's shop selling chess          
here in my cupboard . . . .          
The bagatelle board in the loft          
I hear the silver balls          
rolling round from pin to pin          
haven't played for years,          
today played  on a mobile.          
Cravens sugared almonds          
now the Viking Centre,         
synthetic smells as once they lived          
working gold and silver,          
helmets swords and leather shoes.          
Yorvik Centre, long queues          
and five pound tickets.          
         
         
St Mary's Castlegate          
Russels on the corner          
Raleigh bikes and cycle clips.          
This my city as a boy          
until   I left for college.    .          
Other cities never  the same.       
Chalk walls wrap round ancient streets.          
A lake in the park and bowling greens          
ravens in a cage on Sunday afternoon,         
model boats on the lake marooned        
until the wind blows them to the island        
 entangled in the willows, enraging        
ducks, geese and moor hen.        
          
          
________________________________________DU Members: 19127