for Andrew Gasson

16 April 2026

I always loved De Walden Street
Because it felt like home
A special house, a special space,
An exploration not a race
A time to prod and puff and … ace!
A test of time and in my case
Like cheese or wine matured, a face
That always loved De Walden Street
Where I could safely roam.

I loved to watch the girls at work,
Their brisk efficiency, the smirk,
Their careful answers nicely done,
Discretion comes in bottles, one
Or two today? And can you wait?
We’ll let you know. I always brought
A sugar-almond box, the hope
My eyes would wrestle with the soap
Retain their flavour, keep my smile,
Another year, another mile.

We always spoke of publishing,
Its ratty race, the ghastly bling
The nonsense and the powers that be
Where two plus two make ninety-three.
Your book on Cats, the Collins Group
How Wilkie loved his Mum, the soup
Of pen and paper, flicked and thumbed –
And suddenly we died. Quite numbed
I’m glued to Woodstock, all alone,
De Walden never shall be home.

Now turns the tide. A brave new world!
Machines that cost the earth unfurled
Those Japanese! How they can find
Detritus hidden deep! My mind
Is now revealed for all to see
Means open wide means you and me
Give way to Continuity
And Zacks the Word, let in the Light
No lenses, but Far Better Sight.

With a lifetime of gratitude for looking after me.