Ashes Poetry

Building Jerusalem

Of course you’ll require a plan and vision
No doubt necessary funds and contingencies
Not to mention the very best of materials
And professionals, artisans and trades people
Of the utmost and attested quality.
(Did Joseph of Arimathea examine City & Guilds
Or take word of mouth the lad’s dad was a carpenter?)

But that’s not all, not by a long chalk,
Line and level running through millennia
Before you start on the big idea.
Pause, keep your feet on the ground,
The still earth the goliath machine
Of Progress disturbs, to turn tonka toy,
including itself. Politicians mum your words:
Where else is the past?

Each Jerusalem build upon another, their shadows
Shelter plain city-less lands; complicated enough.
Demolish at peril Jericho walls
Or your new Jerusalem will be jerichoed too.

Taff-side they heed the curve of history
To help you feel great to be alive.
Old South Wales welcomes New South Wales
In more ways than one. Watching play
You see the new wicket holds all the games
Concluded previously. It is done.

Day 1 First Ashes Test, Cardiff  Wednesday 8th July 2009