LesleyScoble.com

Thameside reverie: a London stroll

Seagulls at the Millennium Bridge, London | Photo©️Lesley Scoble

Punam is the host for the d’Verse Poetics: City love. Who invites us to write a poem showing “the beauty of your city (or why you love the city) you live in.”

Gosh, where do I start? Quite an overwhelming task to present London in a stanza or two. My poem is but a bite-size of what I could write about London Town. A tiny crumb. I hope it will suffice for now.

I hope you will come with me and enjoy a stroll across the Millennium Bridge.

Thameside reverie: a London stroll

I can scent the sea as I walk across the Thames,
The gulls cry far and wide from there;
They fly around about my head,
I wonder why they come to town?
When they should be out at sea,
I cross the bridge with an easy tread,
At the river I look down,
The water sparkles like a million gems.
The birds circle around,
Then soar away from me,
and disappear up into the air.

The bells ring loud from St Paul’s,
In competition with the seagulls’ calls.
The Tate is where I’m headed for,
To see some works of art,
London is where I live,
London has my heart.
~

Lesley Scoble, January 2024
The Tate is where I’m headed for | Millennium Bridge + Tate Modern | Photo©️Lesley Scoble

I made a short video in slomo and in a black and white ink style. The slow motion sound creates (in my opinion) a soothing soundtrack. The clunks are from a construction site where they were building apartments behind me as I filmed. The noise irritated me at the time as I wanted to record only the call of the seagulls, but somehow, the combination of the slowed down construction sounds, and the birds, reflects my poem…

Thank you, Punam for this inspiring prompt and being a great host for the d’Verse Poetics: City love. I thank you for the double malt whisky. It was a perfect tipple by the fireside on a very chilly evening.

Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.

lesleyscoble

, ,
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

32 responses to “Thameside reverie: a London stroll”

  2. “I can scent the sea as I walk across the Thames
    The gulls cry far and wide from there
    They fly around about my head
    I wonder why they come to town
    When they should be out at sea”

    This is my favorite part, what a great opener. They could be anywhere else, but they’re here. Just like you. In the city you love.❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Lesley, your imagery of the Thames, the cry of seagulls, and the sparkle of water like a million gems create a vivid picture of your stroll across the Millennium Bridge.

    Your personal connection to London, expressed in the lines “London is where I live, London has my heart,” resonates with genuine affection 🙂

    ~David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. I would love to take stroll with you, Lesley! What a beautiful tiny crumb you have shared of your heart!
    Thanks for joining in for this lovely heartfelt write. ❤️

    You are doubly welcome for the prompt and the double malt. 🥃🥃

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment

Discover more from LesleyScoble.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading