I have a Vision of the Future, chum. The workers flats in fields of soya beans tower up like silver pencils, score on score.More John Betjeman [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

Keep our Empire undismembered guide our Forces by Thy Hand, gallant blacks from far Jamaica, Honduras and Togoland; protect them Lord in all their fights, and even more, protect the whites.More John Betjeman [01/01/2000 12:01:00]

Too many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury, not a necessity like petrol. But to me it's the oil of life.More John Betjeman [03/12/2018 02:03:32]

Phone for the fish-knives, Norman
As Cook is a little unnerved;
You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes
And I must have things daintily served.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Now if the harvest is over, And the world cold, Give me the bonus of laughter, As I lose hold.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

History must not be written with bias, and both sides must be given, even if there is only one side.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Imprisoned in a cage of sound, even the trivial seems profoundMore John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

And now, dear Lord, I cannot wait Because I have a luncheon date.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Ludlow....is probably the loveliest town in England with its hill of Georgian houses ascending from the river Teme to the great tower of the cross-shaped church, rising behind a classic market building.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

What the Londoner sees in his mind’s eye is that cluster of towers and pinnacles seen from Pentonville Hill and outlined against a foggy sunset, and the great arc of Barlow’s train shed gaping to devour incoming engines, and the sudden burst of exuberant Gothic of the hotel seen from gloomy Judd Street…More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

And London shops on Christmas Eve Are strung with silver bells and flowers As hurrying clerks the City leave To pigeon-haunted classic towers, And marbled clouds go scudding by The many-steepled London skyMore John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Gracious Lord, oh bomb the Germans. Spare their women for Thy Sake, And if that is not too easy, We will pardon Thy Mistake. But, gracious Lord, whate'er shall be, Don't let anyone bomb me.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

And behind their frail partitions Business women lie and soak, Seeing through the draughty skylight Flying clouds and railway smoke. Rest you there, poor unbelov'd ones, Lap your loneliness in heat, All too soon the tiny breakfast, Trolley-bus and windy street!More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

It's strange that those we miss the most Are those we take for granted.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Approval of what is approved of
Is as false as a well-kept vow.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Old men who never cheated, never doubted,
Communicated monthly, sit and stare
At the new suburb stretched beyond the run-way
Where a young man lands hatless from the air.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Oh! full Surrey twilight! importunate band!
Oh! strongly adorable tennis-girl's hand!More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Lord, reserve for me a crown,
And do not let my shares go down.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

On out deathbeds we're not going to regret all the work we didn't do. We're going to regret all the sex we didn't have!More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Oh Wasn't it naughty of Smudges? Oh, Mummy, I'm sick with disgust. She threww me in front of the judges, And my silly old collar-bone's bust.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

I am still reeling with delight at the soaring majesty of Norfolk.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

And I think it was the outline of that church tower at Belaugh against the sky which gave me a passion for churches so that every church I've past since I've wanted to stop and look in.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Lovers of Norfolk churches can never agree which is the best and I think one is either a Salle or a Cawston man.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]

Norfolk would not be Norfolk without a church tower on the horizon or round a corner up a lane. We cannot spare a single Norfolk church. When a church has been pulled down the country seems empty or is like a necklace with a jewel missing.More John Betjeman [03/29/2018 05:03:36]