Hidden Talent

A recently discovered poem by a well-known twentieth century figure whose talent for writing poetry had not been known until now.

From Huddersfield I hail and, determined not to fail,

I shot to fame and fortune like a rocket.

Being wily and astute – an economist to boot,

I’m sounder than the pound that’s in your pocket.

What a poet I’d have made for I call a spade a spade,

With a pipeful of tobacco and a pen,

If I had to write a sonnet you can bet that I’d be on it

And I’d finish it before you’d count to ten.

It’s true, I envy Mary. She can make her verses vary

Writing villanelles or pastorals at will,

But she’ll always be my guide and I’m certain, if I tried,

I could write an Ode or Elegy to kill!

With the Scillies as my muse, I’d be headlines in the news,

Have a plaque in poets’ corner on display,

Be the bard of Number Ten, as I might be if and when

This poem ever sees the light of day.