Crystalized-Gum

A day in the rain A walk by the river in a borrowed blue mac, Full mud-shod, which clad both jeans and new shoes Struggled up the embankment to find that old bridge Now painted deep ochre coloured, in unradiant hues. The flood dripped by outside the small window In that packed town-house of this forgotten thorpe. And briefly I saw that monument which but a year ago And I thought how different was my impression before. The visit now over, and my mood turning sour, Alone in that room, filled with friends from last year, Despairing the thought of tramping back to the station, And letting my thoughts of this day almost bring me to tea