In the Air
Published in ‘Heath’ (Nine Arches Press, 2016)
How will you fare
up there in the air
starring
in the in-
of your life?
How will you fare
air-
lightly-
by your everyday pilot?
And when turbulence
rolls in
like a rolling pin
wielded
in a fist no angel clenched
to biff and bash
the plane
how will you fare?
Best not pluck
the thunder flower
as you spin
in the wheel of fortune
faring up there
in the air
alongside
cloud-
and free-
of the heart
Heath
By Penelope Shuttle and John Greening. Published by Nine Arches Press, 2016
Heathrow Airport landed, in the early 1940s, as if from outer space, on the ancient common land of
Hounslow Heath. In ‘Heath’ John Greening and Penelope Shuttle transcribe and review the conflicts
of modern life, of finding an equilibrium between the excitements of travel and the benefits of trade,
and the continuing desecration of the natural landscape. In addition there is a personal connection, as
both poets were born and raised within sight and sound of Heathrow Airport. As discussion continues
about the third runway, two poets move between Heathrow's past, present and future, as they cross
and re-
‘Heath’ was launched at the Ledbury Poetry Festival in July 2016 with a special reading by Penelope
and John Greening . To see the recording of this reading please click here.
Few things worse
than being taken ill on Hounslow Heath
son
as the runaway Bishop learned
and many a humbler soul
so keep the straight and narrow
boy
don’t stray from Hounslow’s long unlovely street
respect its Grove Road School ethos
(though few of the pupils
know their alphabet)
don’t footpad
the shadowy ways by the Crane
or ride the dark
of wildtrack and brake
where a bullet can find you -
heart or brain
anywhere anywhen -
between Hounslow and Heston
Our town’s one dull street
won’t get you took ill
with the plaguey gunshot
fatal and fast -
The nuns who worked the Syon Cope
have all gone home to Lisbon -
that’s a safe distance from the Heath!
If Bishop Twysden
of Raphoe
had kept such faith
he’d be living in his Donegal living
to this day
son
Pedestrian Advice
Published in ‘Heath’ (Nine Arches Press, 2016)
Cornwall Contemporary Poetry Festival
Will be held in Falmouth, from Thursday 22
to Sunday 25 November 2018
Penelope Shuttle has made her home in Cornwall
since 1970 and the county’s mercurial weather and
rich history are continuing sources of inspiration.
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