York

YORK

I           Giant ship sailing

towards the dream of Heaven;

waves of weathered tiles.

II         Golden banks swaying

to deafening spring trumpets;
        scented city walls.

III        Street that ran with blood –

now tourists tramp neat gutters,

snapping the Shambles.

IV         Ouse can’t be contained,

like the swords of mad Vikings;

flood of history.

V          Corroding statue,

council estate avenue;

Constantine the Great!

VI         Strolling snickelways –

paths through the palpable past
        - passage of the sole.

VII       Our explosive son –

we remember, remember;

bonfire and bangers.

VIII      Steam trains came puffing

to old station, then the new’s

monumental curve.

IX         Wind stirring cocoa -

drifting from the KitKat club;

chocolate city.

X          History of York

is history of England;

future of white rose.