A Day To Remember. Poem by Michael Walker
A Day To Remember.
My days are somewhat similar now,
like walking across a wide plateau.
In my life, though, one day stands out
from the long series of carbon copies.
I had flown at night into the dawn,
from Bahrain to Gatwick, London:
the first time in the country of my forebears.
Through the airport shuttle windows
I soon noticed the humorous billboards;
subtle humour which put me in a good mood
when I stumbled into the backpackers hostel
in Earls Court carrying baggage from the past.
After dinner I went to the lounge
and watched some black-and-white television:
I saw the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson,
talk about devaluation and inflation:
'We have decided to devalue the pound.
That does not meanthat the pound here in Britain-
the pound in your pocket-will be devalued.
The pound will not be floated for now'.
After saying goodnight to my fellow travellers,
I got into my dormitory bed and soon fell asleep,
after checking on the pound in my own pocket.
-23/24 November,2017.
-22/23 November,2017.
Harold Wilson was urbane and debonair, a confident speaker in the then new medium of television; he was also something of an actor and showman. Goods would not be overpriced as long as Harold Wilson ran the shop. Wilson's phrase 'the pound in your pocket' has become widely known and talked about, whenever the subject of devaluation comes up. Wilson timed each devaluation like an economics expert.
Harold Wilson (1916-1995) was Labour Prime Minister of Britain 1964-1970, and 1964-1966, when he resigned from office.
Two of Harold Wilson's own maxims: 'A week is a long time in politics'.
'I'm an optimist, but an optimist who carries a raincoat'.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/18/2024 4:15:02 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Memories sometimes travel as for you dear sir. Let it be quoted.... Reassured about my own money, I said goodnight to my fellow travellers and got into a dormitory bed, soon fell asleep after checking the pound in my own pocket. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for your knowing comment. Yes, I did this travel when I was thirty and staying in a backpackers hostel was no trouble. I wonder: Have you travelled much outside of India yourself? Travel gives you many advantages for writing poetry.