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The Clyde Paddle Steamers

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Memory as clear as a perfect summer;

two-funnelled steamship, day trip

to Inverary. Pier to pier under fug

of smoke; going below

to watch engine cranks turn mesmerically;

on the way back people on deck

singing to an accordion band.

 

Most of the Clyde paddle steamers

scattered or scrapped. One lay berthed

on the Thames, lost. Just

the cash-strapped Waverley,

still sailing each summer day

for the islands or up the sea lochs;

Kyles of Bute, hills of Argyll, mountains of Arran. 

ClydePaddle steamers

◄ Kicking and screaming

Rooftops (for Bruno Cordati) ►

Comments

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John Coopey

Thu 4th Aug 2011 09:39

I gather from my forks porks that the Clyde Paddle Steamers have nothing to do with Glasgow?
Hey Ho! Glasgow's nice anyway.

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John Coopey

Mon 1st Aug 2011 10:17

Enjoyed this, Greg.
It brought back memories of some time I spent in Glasgow a few years ago. A much under-rated city, beautiful architecture above the shops.

<Deleted User> (7075)

Sun 31st Jul 2011 00:13

Aha , an interesting exercise Greg, liked the end particularly, win x

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Greg Freeman

Sat 30th Jul 2011 11:43

This poem is borrowed from an evocative article by Ian Jack in today's Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jul/29/ian-jack-paddle-steamers-clyde. One of the points in Ian's article is that the sole surviving Clyde paddle steamer, the Waverley, needs cash to keep it afloat. If you're interested, the website is
waverleyexcursions.co.uk

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