York Revisited, 1993

by Edward Keyes

No peaceful wall-walk, but interminable turnings
in this one-way nightmare. Familiar streets alien
to car's-eye view. Minster Road now traffic-banned
breeds annoyance. No time for lazy brooding
on Bach Passions, choral evensongs, enthronements,
quiet meditations in the Zouche chapel.

Car park found, family picnic provides a rest-point.
Yet despite heat, age, crowds, York-magic revives.
Pervasive tang and savour of Stonegate and Shambles.
Shrill tones of peacocks in Museum Gardens.
Marygate blend of Ouse and St. Olave's organ.
Browsing in Banks and bookshops. All offer
rich garden of memories. Shall we again revisit
or must we await Ebor felicities transfigured
in floral intransience of a celestial summer?