History

Poem 506 – Trading Colours

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I’m glad it did not rain on their parade,
and these old men and women could keep dry,
but somehow it seemed appropriate that the scenes
turned black and white under the gloomy clouds.

Although flags were flying and plastic hats
were worn adorned in red, white and blue,
this isn’t a day for celebration, rather
a day for quiet sombre recollection.

‘We must never forget’, a veteran said,
but as he did, the breaking news told us
of growing conscription in the Middle East
ahead of expanded operations in Gaza…

In the Ukraine the drones still buzz about,
Sudan’s still torn to bits by civil war,
and tariff tit-for-tats are lobbed like bombs.
I fear this is no time for flapping flags.

Maybe, it’s time to swap out national pride
for seeking peace. A holy man once said,
‘Love your enemies.’ If only we had
the imagination that this task requires.

Today marks the 80th Anniversary of VE Day.
(05.05.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Mark Leishman on Unsplash

Poem 494 – Fifty Two Years

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On April the twenty third I feel I ought,
To write a sonnet honouring the Bard.
In Fifteen Sixty Four our Will was born,
Living ’til Sixteen Sixteen when he died.
Between these only fifty two short years,
In which to write his dazzling magnus opus,
His folio of world renowned great verse,
Still uttered by the Thames in his wooden O.
Creator of so many memorable lines,
And author of now oft used turns of phrase,
The master of the magical use of rhyme,
With which he artfully captured our human ways.
So why’s today named after some brave knight
And not this bright composer of such delight!

A sonnet on St. George’s Day.
(23.04.25)

© Ben Quant 2025

Poem 436 – Nothing Changes

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Wandering through the city streets we noted
the men of war (all men) posturing upon the
capital’s many pillars and pedestals.
Testosterone fuelled, they thrust out chests and chins
and clambered upwards, competing to be highest.
Later, under Trafalgar’s column, we witnessed
politicians and pop stars gather in protest at
Putin’s bare-chested invasion of Ukraine.

Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine.
(23.02.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Borja Verbena on Unsplash

Poem 435 – The Other London

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Beneath these streets another London lurks
that secretly exerts its influence.
This realm is not inhabited by fae,
some Neverwhere or Long London, but born
of flesh and blood, the footsteps walked before us.

Laid in a myriad of layers, its culture
manipulates our lives, its stretching fingers,
reaching through our paths, our clothes and speech,
are inescapable, a net ensnaring
this famed landscape both for its good or ill.

I’m currently reading Alan Moore’s ‘The Great When’ – what a terrific book it is, in the great tradition of urban fantasy like Gaiman’s ‘Neverwhere’ and Clarke’s ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell’. Strip away the fantasy, and I suspect these readings aren’t so far from reality.
(22.02.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash

Poem 434 – Ancient Stones

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Standing stark and strong,
the weight of generations
tugging us through time.
Historic earth, a rod,
grounding our feet in place;
eternity in stone.
A silhouette, cold white,
engraved in fleeting lives,
eroded, lichen clad.
A throbbing weight, it’s heart-
beating our ears with gravity,
not breathing yet alive.

Tonight’s TV drama (Vera) featured three standing stones, reminding me of trips to Avebury and other ancient monuments, and the feelings associated with them.
(22.02.25)

© Ben Quant 2025

Poem 429 – Kenwood Bridge

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The perfect vision
Arching delight

Curving crisply
Casting the light

Reaching over
Reeds and blue water

Alas this bridge
Is an imposter

To celebrate half term, we took some time today to visit Kenwood House and grounds. Over the lake reaches this beautiful bridge which can be seen from the house. Close inspection, however, reveals it is a sham – it is a two dimensional prop!
(17.02.25)

© Ben Quant 2025

Poem 423 – Driving Through 1066

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‘The Norman horde must be holding us up ahead,’
I laughed out loud, as we languished in the lane.
And so imagine my surprise when, making
it around the roundabout, we ran into
a fearsome figure fighting on a horse!
Before him fought on foot a Saxon armed
with axe and anger, armour dulled by blows
so skillfully cut by William’s swiping sword.
Thus trapped, the tortured troops of Harold stand,
eternally caught in conflict with the Conqueror.

Driving to a conference today, we were held up in the Sussex town of Battle…
(11.02.25)

© Ben Quant 2025

Poem 343 – Ancient Echoes

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A line of bird-like steps
strut confidently up the cliff-face,
towards its sandstone crest.

With toes outsplayed, they tread
through time, a shadow traced
on ancient tracks and paths.

Relentlessly, the waves
crash onwards, their roar
an echo of past voices.

Once permanent, now fleeting,
these footprints quickly fade,
the tide flows out, they’re gone.

Today we went dinosaur footprint hunting on the coastline near Albufeira. We found them, but they were already much eroded. (https://www.portugalresident.com/dinosaur-footprints-uncovered-at-albufeira-beach/)
(04.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024

Poem 285 – Haunted London

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Squint and you’ll see them loiter.
Walk these streets and listen.
Stop. Do not rush on by.

Amongst the tower blocks
the shades of London past
live on. Their ghosts haunt us.

Observe attentively
As first a wall appears,
And then facades and plaques.

Street names, spectres, pointing
To past possession, occupations
And entertainment of old.

Hidden beneath the pavement
The ancient rivers meander,
Living memories.

They whisper stories, as
They wash on by, depositing
Time’s flotsam in their wake.

Scavenging mudlarks scour
The Thames, whilst Wren
Designs the city skyline.

Queen Liz sits on the throne,
As Dickens walks the slums,
And Shakespeare stalks the Globe.

Today these shade still walk
Amidst harried commuters
And trigger happy tourists.

Walking home from a show at The Globe today I was struck once more at the many layers of our capital.
(07.09.24)

© Ben Quant 2024