Poem 1049 – Some Finer Day

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Years on, your voice, the sound of every angel,
Floats across the room. I am transported.
Teenage again, long hair unruly, shy,
Each chord and note is seared upon my soul.
We slope upon the city green, our hearts
Unwritten, full of hope and aching life.
This moment every mood is new, unopened.
We drink them deeply, dreamers on the hill.

Washing up to the sound of All About Eve. Julianne’s voice was part of the sound track of my formative years, and hearing it tonight I am reminded of how glorious it was and still is.
(30.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026

Poem 1047 – Haunted

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These faded flags, hang limp and tattered,
Shrouds of a spiteful spectres’ howl.
Ironically red, white and blue
Become as one, sun burnt and drained.
Their dream has passed, I pray, perhaps
A better Britain born. Let them
Be left, forlorn like silenced statues,
Their rage replaced with a greater grace.

The avenues of Union Flags, once proud, now seem forgotten and apologetic in the breeze.
(28.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026

Poem 1044 – Ceasefire

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Today is timid, a tender movement,
But in its whispered silence sounds
The echo of a crack. Cautious we
We walk amongst the mighty trees
And see a battered bough. Now bent,
It rests its unearthed roots ripped high.
We stop and stand, staying awhile,
To mourn before this fallen friend.

Today we took a walk through Lee Valley. The storms of the last couple of days have quietened, but everything feels tense in case the winds return.
(25.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026

Poem 1043 – Warenne’s Outburst (The Ballad of the Wake cont.)

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At this the Earl of Warenne burst out
In furious indignation,
‘You have been turned, there is no doubt,
By Hereward’s machinations.

Why else would you spout forth like this
About our enemy?
Why praise his name, extol his business,
And his victories?

Be silent man, pray shut your mouth,
Belatedly learn wisdom,
Or else I will, without a doubt,
Make punishment my mission.’

‘You’re wrong, good sir,’ Dada replied,
I speak only the truth,
Of what I saw with my own eyes,
Under the rebel’s roof.’

Exaggeration has no place
In this my clear report,
To offer it would bring disgrace,
A promise turned to naught!

I do not seek to offend, my King,
Or to deceive you with false words,
Honesty’s the only gift I bring
Anything else would be absurd!’

The Earl of Warenne rears his head again…
(24.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Maxwell Andrews on Unsplash

Poem 1042 – Dada Describes the Wake (The Ballad of the Wake cont.)

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‘Once there they asked me for my name
And the reason for my coming,
I told them for the chance of fame,
And treasure if not succumbing.

I told them of your promise King,
Reward for those who strive
How those who make the Isle would win
A gift from what they find.’

‘But tell me of their greatest men’,
The King at once replied,
‘Their names and strengths and number then
Their defensive works describe.’

‘Their cheifest men, three Earls I met,
Adwinus, Morkere and Tosti,
Two nobles, and many others, yet,
The greatest was my host.

Unrivalled amongst all men I know
In courage and conviction,
And I have travelled high and low
HIs valour is no fiction.’

Dada gives an account of those he found in Ely.
(23.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Div on Unsplash

Poem 1041 – The End

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At last the day is done!
But won? I don’t know, it’s seemed
A death by a thousand niggles.
The start that set the tone?
Ambushed by traffic lights!
A fight to get things done,
Last minute calls then some…
Who parked that Volvo there!
Beware if I find out…
I doubt you understand
But I could SHOUT!
And yet apocalyptic
Fun and food and traitors
Cap the day. I won.

It’s been one of the days until the end.
(22.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash