Fortiter Defendit Triumphans
Distracted momentarily
the Saturday shoppers gaze
skywards to the carillon’s
copper clad tower.
Tinkling Tyneside melodies
waft on the breeze
whilst heraldic sea horses
look upwards and outwards.
On weekdays
workforce and dignitaries
cross her Rosso marbled portals
and flow through her majestic interior.
Their city is protected
by the River God Tyne.
His muscular bronze presence
is sombre yet exhilarating.
Imagine flames flickering
from nine flambeaux
whose sculptor was inspired
by the Tar Bar’l ceremony at his Allendale home.
In the courtyard
five interlinked swans
prepare to take flight,
welded in hope and harmony.
From the airy colonnade
a President with a twinkle in his eye
shouted ‘Howay the lads’,
proclaiming goodwill and unity.
We joined that jubilant Geordie cavalcade
promoting the force of friendship.
When Heather retired she enrolled on a short creative writing course, Ageing Creatively, run by Newcastle University. At the end of the 10 weeks, several of the participants continued meeting, becoming The Sixth Floor. She enjoys writing about her native Northumberland and recording family memories.