The Divisive Thames

By Judith Walker

Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • 153 reads
8 comments
 

The Divisive Thames

  

You divide London 

physically 

geographically 

culturally

Socially

emotionally 

South London used to be the wrong side of the tracks

Property prices changed that

You may now even get a cab to go south of the river!

 

The gap you create is a breath of fresh air

In a polluted city

A cool breeze in summer 

A bitter wind in winter

You create space

To breath 

To feel free from the constraints, of the city 

A respite from the intrusive ever-changing skyline

Created by the greed of developers

They have not found a way to build on you yet! 

 

My salvation is walking along your banks 

It is the only way to survive this intense

Yet vibrant city

I could not live far away from you 

Certificate U
Poem

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I like the idea of the space and relief of the river being there. I think many people have enjoyed walking the banks for a break, in a different way to the parks, and maybe more accessible. I think it is as much the greed of investors as the acatual developers to try to get more and more in that small expensive land space. - Of course some ot the ancient churches and their surrounds give some relief from the towering blocks around them, and presumably can't be built upon! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by celticman on

rivers bring many riches. How we bridge them tells us much. 

 

Submitted by Judith Walker on

Yes bridges interesting . We don’t have any as in the poorer east. But we do have the first tunnel ever built under a river and it is still used for trains on the Windrush line, a road tunnel that was originally build for horses and a ferry

Judith Walker​

Submitted by Judith Walker on

Yes bridges interesting . We don’t have any as in the poorer east. But we do have the first tunnel ever built under a river and it is still used for trains on the Windrush line, a road tunnel that was originally build for horse and a ferry

Judith Walker​

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I love that river too - it nearly killed me once but I still love it. Thank you for this lovely reminder of its beauty Judith (and with you all the way on the right/wrong side)

 

Submitted by Judith Walker on

Sorry nearly killed you! Interesting story there ? I know it has treacherous currents 

Judith Walker​

Submitted by Judith Walker on

The river is a space of relief but the developers do try  get their hand on every bit of land that they can. But luckily there are historic bits that they cannot change

Judith Walker​

Submitted by Judith Walker on

 

Judith Walker​