Hamlet in Somerset House

Strangers warble in Somerset House

between mouthfuls of Hamlet and chocolate cake

Underneath, the Thames flows undisturbed


Out of reach, skyscrapers rise into the ether

-phallic symbols of the times, politics and power,

lands razed, war zones; a cloud ceiling without beyond.

Down below, little men become even smaller.


Yet even among concrete, the season blooms.

- All the while the Thames flows undisturbed.

 

 

 

Somerset House is an 18th century palace on the Strand (in London -England) and the Thames, on the same site as the original Somerset House, an imposing mansion built in 1547 by Edward Seymour, 'Protector Somerset' to the Tudor King Edward VI. The poem is inspired by a chance meeting  with a gifted poet from Liverpool. 

 

Author's Note

Constructive critique always welcome.
I am personally unhappy with the title, still ruminating over it.

Reviews

[Don Coorough]

What powerful writing. Contrasting the modern architecture with the ancient art of Hamlet. You show humanity reducing its value and demeaning itself through its deeds. Then, you end it by showing nature continuing, rolling on like the ancient Thames itself, into eternity, no matter what humans do. This is amazing writing. Let me quote some of your most impressive lines, "between mouthfuls of Hamlet and chocolate cake" and "Yet even among concrete, the season blooms." Excellent. May I suggest two possible titles? One seems obvious to me, The Thames Flows Undisturbed, and the other, I don't know, I just like it and think it fits, The Season Blooms. I actually like that one better, because it gives less away before the reader gets to the end. I really enjoy your writing! - EllisD

[Antonionioni]

A mouthful of Hamlet - that sounds rather good to me.