5 Cromwell Place

by

Hay Machine

The most important 'Irish' building in London

John Lavery going around with his head in paintpots
it burned a red heat within
that day he crossed the Brompton road to look at number five
perfect for his Eileen and his art
from the outside its low proportions on the street
book-end studio in the Regency style
and when he crossed the threshold he knew
though distracted with small-talk in the flagstoned hall
he could not take his eye off the spiral wind of stair
its wooden rail a beanstalk to the giant's room
the artist's studio

He could not know though artists have such sight
the inestimable importance and that his choice could be so right
John with a frame for laying railway sleepers
brought together Hazel and his clientele elite
and oiled an Irish treaty on Cromwell's Regent street
with hindsight he could ever not have known
Michael Collins would knock and climb one day upon this artist's throne
and all at number five would be discreet
table their difficulties and do what must be done
in this clearing house for obscurities
our history at number five upstairs
in the artist's studio would be complete

Hazel spun her web at Cromwell Place
and wrapped her silken threads around the house
Lloyd George Churchill Collins Griffith Birkinhead and Gogarty
inestimable use incalculable importance
some human drama has to have its way
gave the useless ones the slip
no spy at number five although they intermingled everywhere
and that's the reason why they did the deal through his betroth
Hazel wonderous hostess
living off the Brompton Road

NEXT?
Why don't you look at For My Love
by: John Files
from: San Diego, CA, US

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