I Know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere upon Blackfriars Bridge
The Routemaster I love to hate
The cones – TFL’s privilege.
My bike rack’s at Godliman Street,
I cycle down to Waterloo;-
And when I’m carried from my seat
St Thomas’ will have to do.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Through taxis, cars and HGVs
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove me to pay those two pound fees.
I balanced all – my oyster card,
Those taxi fares – me short of breath;-
The gym routine seemed much too hard
In balance with those bills, this death.
With apologies to Irish Airmen and WB Yeats.