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Poetry Library Southbank Centre - The Poetry Library housing the Arts Council Collection at Southbank Centre

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Steven Walling

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Temporary Entrance

Isn’t nature wonderful? To be always
available, open all hours like an all-night
garage that sells milk and bread.
But to drive all this way
not even to glimpse the coast of France:
though last night’s wine and conversation
could be said to make up for it.

After several false starts, the day
settles on sunlight, the early
morning walk. Cliffs, beach
and the shut-down arcades hibernate:
dormice waiting for changes in the promise
of rain. An indolent temple in the rocks
and a fishing boat

leaving the harbour. This is England
South-East, speaking its language of property,
where gales take their winter holidays;
while the artists’ community of St. Ives
moves by night mysteriously from Cornwall
to this house where breakfast is about
to be served: fruit juice, cereal,
two slices of toast and marmalade.

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