Paul Dean, in an Oldie review of Kevin J. Gardner’s Harvest Bells: New and Uncollected Poems by John Betjeman, wrote: “Part of the interest in reading a Betjeman poem lies in wondering whether he will fall off the tightrope. Those thumping metres; those clunking rhymes; that tone compounded of the arch, the sentimental and the twee . . . .his compound of Tennyson and Hardy, music-hall turn and saloon bar singalong . . . “
In up to 16 lines by August 25th you are invited to add to this heady mix with more new, if never to be collected, pieces by Sir John, the funambulistic former laureate.
I trust my words are clear and plain
Though from a Spanish feline’s brain.
We hope our promise has been kept
And none of you have booed or slept.
I’m here to say the ninth month’s 1st
Will see us back again, well-versed.