The Parish Church of St George the Martyr, Waterlooville

Continuing our series of extracts from past editions of St George’s Book of Poems…..


Christmas Edition 2013

St George’s Book of Poems

An Ex-Commuter’s Lament

A million commuters rushing headlong for their train,

With scowls upon their faces they all jollity disdain.

With brollies curled upon their arm, at crack of dawn each day,

Oh to hell with London’s Business World, I’m glad I got away!

And irritated passengers on smoky buses masked

By gloomy headlined papers, that their scanning eyes so fast

Accumulate all details of the Stock Exchange today.

Oh to hell with London’s Business World, I’m glad I got away!

Each day progresses with great zest, until the evening tide,

When brollies curled on arms once more, they take the homeward ride.

Like sardines packed in airless tube, strap-hanging all the way,

Oh to hell with London’s Business World, I’m glad I got away!

But I once was a part of this, and loved it all I know.

The bustling and the hurrying, and the jostling to and fro.

Until one day I cried, “No more!” And sanity held sway,

Oh to hell with London’s Business World, I’m glad I got away!

And now the seven-ten pulls in at our small country track.

The doors are slammed, the flood pours through, the Business men are back.

I raise my head from quiet calm, a wistful smile betray -

Oh to hell with London’s Business World, I’m glad I got away!

Janet Johnson


Hatch, Match and Dispatch

Before our little ones are born

We pray for love and patience, Lord,

To guide them on their Way.

As our little ones are here,

We realise how much we need

All your love and care

To guide them on their Way.

As our little ones grow into girls and boys,

Each year more and more,

Our prayers to you help us

To guide them on their Way.

As they grow into teenagers, then

Young men and women, married in their turn,

We know still, dear Lord, they need our prayers

To guide them on their Way.

Vera Green