Rodborough, Sunday June 11th
A year ago we wandered through the sculptures
And hidden gardens of Rodborough,
Depressed and stupefied after the referendum result,
Lowering clouds gathering over the Severn,
Proving that the notion of a pathetic fallacy is not a fallacy –
But this year, the sun shone on the sculptures,
The flowers were particularly and pleasantly fragrant,
The tea and cake taken in the church graveyard,
Tasted sweetly of the resurrection of Labour,
And the party in the Prince Albert
Showed Stroud at its inclusive best:
A complete cross section of society,
In a happy harmony of delight,
A heaven where ambrosia and nectar were shared equally,
By friends, families and strangers,
And where everyone was a comrade:
David Drew and family laid on a spread
To thank all supporters and workers,
People spoke of past elections and struggles,
David’s seven general election results
Were attached to the beer pumps
In a panoply across the bar,
The front door of the pub was garlanded
With a red and white banner:
‘Thank You’,
The chimney breast was covered with the banner
Of the Stroud Constituency Labour Party,
Lottie and Miles served tea and cake,
David ran a tab at the bar,
People spoke of their Thursday tears of joy,
David spoke of his commitment to the manifesto,
Everyone stood to applaud him –
But John Bloxsom reminded us
That there is another election ahead:
So while we celebrate in the carefree present moment,
We know that we prepare for the future:
But time is an illusion on a sun splashed Stroud afternoon,
For this is a new dawn –
This truly is a new dawn.
Credit to Deborah Roberts for the above photos.
Credit to Bob Fry for the above photo.