April 06, 2005

Quinquerime of Ninevah

David and I have been looking into readings for the wedding recently. Whilst I won't divulge secrets like that here, it has meant I have had the opportunity to look at my old poetry and other books from childhood. I used to love poetry (I don't dislike it now, but I just don't read it that often), and learn great tracts of verse, relishing the rhythm of words and the vocabulary.

My favourite book was one published in 1979 called "I Like This Poem", full of classic verse from Pam Ayres through to TS Eliot. The book is well-loved, with pages coming loose and sellotape holding the cover together. One of my favourite poems which I loved reading for its musicallity and sense of atmosphere, was 'Cargoes' by John Masefield. You can almost smell the sooty smoke coming off the British Coaster at the end.

Quinquereme of Nineveh from distant Ophir
Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine
With a cargo of ivory,
And apes and peacocks,
sandalwood, cedarwood and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon coming from the isthmus,
dipping through the tropics by the palm-green shores
With a cargo of diamonds,
emeralds, amethysts,
Topazes and cinammon, and gold moidores.

Dirty British coaster with a silt caked smokestack
Butting through the Channel in the mad March days,
With a cargo of Tyne coal,
Road-rails, Pig- lead
Firewood iron=ware and cheap tin trays.


Posted by jen at April 6, 2005 10:10 PM
Comments

Hi Jen. I didn't recognise that poem until the last verse. Then I remembered having to learn it at school all those years ago. As I read it I wanted it to be that poem but did not look at the last verse until I got there. It certainly bought back memories. Thanks
12 April 2005 is Kelsey and Mario's wedding day in Tirana, Albania and as I am so far away am feeling rather melancoly.
Lots to love to you and David

Bev

Posted by: BEV MCDONALD at April 11, 2005 12:37 PM

Yes, we learnt it as well all those years ago, this would be a favourite of our generation here in New Zealand. John Masefield was such a star in our wee lives. I am afraid that I have grown into New Zealand poets and love the likes of Baxter and Glover who has breathed life into the landscape of New Zealand so it centres us as we travel the world but always return home.
Thank you for the memory.

Posted by: Kathy at April 22, 2005 09:38 PM

You know, eyebrows would be raised in some circles at the description of anything by Pam Ayres as "classic" ...

Posted by: Rodney at April 25, 2005 01:28 PM