THE GARDEN BRIDGE(From Tales of the Unaccepted)
In the year of our Lord two thousand and thirteen Joanna Lumley had a dream
of a bridge too far with shrubs and trees, sweet nectar, birds and bees.
She got her chums on board; an architect of her dreams, high flying illuminati
offered their gentlemanly support in this far flung horticultural sport.
Standing out in that austere circle like Marilyn Monroe on presidential podium
she sang out her challenge for the benefit of all, like a beacon to enthrall.
Boris was brought on board, chief arbiter of all things London
with Bullingdon bluff money was raised and plenty of promise for government aid.
The directors of the charity all London residents uncompromised by the rigours of market forces.
The bridge was to be constructed on the old boy network
strong against buffeting winds, entrenched in glorious mud and silt
it would definitely be built, a mirage of beautiful dreams,
but while the tide went up and down, the money kept on running short.
Two hundred million was soon envisaged, upkeep at three mil a year to keep the trees
to a reasonable height, the skies apparently to be the limit. A system of fines to stop any buskers
loiterers, exploiterers, flyers of balloons and kites and such unwelcome intrusive sights.
The cutting down of planes was proposed, planted to celebrate wartime dead
a building on the south side on free green space on the table instead.
Commercially unviable, aesthetically strange for which no single person would be liable
with one horticulturist to join the committee , giving green and respectable credibility.
Like the wrath of God voices were heard of common sense, the plan absurd
then finally while backs were turned, Boris's plans were quietly burned.
But never underestimate the bounce back factor; though Sadiq's predictions are dismissive
and bleak, the wheel of time turns the other cheek, be sure that come the day - when Sadiq's gone
the plans will rise again on a tide of bullshit to scour the banks, while the public
as usual is left in the dark; it's not exactly a walk in the park.
raypool
Wed 16th Aug 2017 20:58
I don't normally do provocative material, but I thought this needed a mention!
Thanks Mark I already had this poem written, so timed it to coincide with the official snubbing.
Agreed Col. I do think she is a master of the little finger - a supreme actress of the semi smoulder. Perhaps we all need to use a little more charm in life to get what we want. It just seems as you say there is always some grandiose scheme going on. Funny ole world aint it!
The plot deepens Greg. There was promise of government backing of a substantial amount, so that makes sense, he would have ok'd this. I think we need a second job like George. Thanks for commenting.
Cheers Paul. I do admire her spunkiness - but I havn't seen that programme . She does mean well obviously but come on darling!! Aythangyow.
Thanks for the likes, Stu and Michaela, appreciated.
Ray