A SUNRISE OVER GATWICK AIRPORT
(Not published; composed prior to 1971, probably about 1965/6. From a manuscript held by B. Burke)We’re turning into sorry, sodden Gatwick
our Aircraft-spotting party. Even yet
someone’s squeaking- “What’re we going to get at Gatwick?”
- The only thing that’s guaranteed, lad. Wet!
Unload the shrieking coach on weeping Gatwick
- The “Golden Horde” it streaks towards the piers.
They’re in your early early-morning keeping, Gatwick!
… Your Buffet hides me, as I brood on other years …
What journeys did WE make, when WE were young …?
But then, of course, the Sun shone over all
How sweet was THEN the song the Mermaid sung
in summers green-and-gold when I was small.
Who was it took us? (self-inflicted duty)
Old …? … Odd. I find I’ve quite forgot
But not that far enchantment, nor each gleaming beauty
roaring though the morning sun – oh, those I’ve not!
And NOW they “Overnight” to blighted Gatwick.
Abandon Hope all ye who enter here
in search of some enchantment. Poor benighted Gatwick
surely drowns it in a pool of Heaven’s tears.
And bitter too as tears is Gatwick coffee.
- But oh, my shining summers long ago
were sunny, sticky-sweet as treacle toffee …
Stir yourself. Let’s round ’em up and go.
Outside, I’m wet and deafened. Something roars
down there on the Runway while we freeze.
Here’s one of ours – “Come on, lad” – he turns in awe
and ME he neither hears - nor sees …
He sees the Sun arising over Gatwick,
He hears a Mermaid singing like the ’plane,
And to the clouds, which cover weary Gatwick
he’s seen HIS Sun, arising in the rain.
Aloud I say “Come on, John. We’re off to Heathrow”,
But silently - “Remember ME! For I first showed you ‘Tu.104s’”.
(My conscience pricks.) Again, with some insistence
nags – “And YOU, old cynic, NOW admit the truth.
- Between those two enchantments, his and yours,
there’s really no distinction. only age and distance.”
Yes. We cannot CHOOSE the Sun which gilds our youth …!
[EDITOR’S NOTE: The “sun” which gilded Croghan’s youth was the London & North Eastern Railway, and the “gleaming beaut[ies]” were that railway’s locomotives.]
ALTERNATIVE VERSION OF LINES 15-16 (reconstructed from memory by the Editor)
But not indeed each shining gleaming beauty
Appearing though the morning sun – oh THOSE I’ve not!
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