We were not the only ones© GERALD ENGLAND
to drive down the river,
discover the vast arena
of unmapped stone
Forty miles to the west
the sun lit the sea
From terraced walls
we surveyed the land between
Terrace upon terrace upon terrace
descended from the tower
past the weedgrown bath
arched over a stonestrewn track;
beneath each wall a
wilderness of peace
In the amphitheatre
a lady in white had camped
Each tree became a soldier
water oozing like blood
from neglected wounds
This fortress
manned by three legions
is left unfenced, unsigned
for the venturesome to find
Composed: Oldham, 30th June 1974
Publication
1975 Pennine Platform (UK)
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