On Wed, 8 Oct 2003 12:39:42 EDT, Christina Fletcher <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
>She's just flown over my roof. She says, thanks for the sonnet:-)
>bw
>christina
>
>> >Concorde
>> >March 1969-October 2003
>> >—first and last supersonic airliner
>> >
>> >She dated from the heady era when
>> >we landed on the moon—“one giant leapâ€
>> >pointed towards the stars. Though we may keep
>> >our dreams, I fear we won’t go there again.
>> >I used to pause when Concorde travelled by,
>> >awed by her beauty: more than just a plane,
>> >an aspiration soaring to reclaim
>> >the wonder of man’s ancient urge to fly.
>> >Now she’s gone as well. Humanity
>> >set out to challenge every bond of land
>> >and space. We falter now…I understand
>> >the world is tired and growing old like me,
>> >and vision bows to caution as we plod
>> >in slow retreat where once our giants trod.
>> >
>> >http://www.davidgwilymanthony.co.uk/
>> >
>
>
Many thanks for the responses.
Sally, interesting question. I think I was thinking more of Hopkins—
“generations have trod”—but, come to think of it, he was obviously echoing
the Elegy.
Sue, good spot about the duplicated “nows”; I’ll fix that. I take your
point about beauty: I’m the same with chiaroscuro (smiley face).
Mike, I may well use “directed at”. Think I’ll stick with the giants,
though, with the pick-up from L2.
Arthur, Christina, yes, my company’s offices are in Hounslow, and I’m
convinced she used to use our office flagpoles to line up for Terminal 4.
All our smokers, huddled around the entrance, would look up as she swept
by. Even they couldn’t talk above the noise.
Best wishes,
David
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