John Betjeman Quotes
Too many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury, not a necessity like petrol. But to me it's the oil of life.
John Betjeman
Quotes to Explore
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Oh shall I see the Thames again?The prow-promoted gems again,As beefy ATSWithout their hatsCome shooting through the bridge?And 'cheerioh' and 'cheeri-bye'Across the waste of waters die,And low the mists of evening lieAnd lightly skims the midge.
John Betjeman
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One mark of good verse is surprise.
John Betjeman
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He would have liked to say goodbye,Shake hands with many friends.In Highgate now his finger-bonesStick through his finger-ends.You, God, who treat him thus and thus,Say, 'Save his soul and pray.'You ask me to believe You andI only see decay.
John Betjeman
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Gracious Lord, oh bomb the Germans.Spare their women for Thy Sake,And if that is not too easy,We will pardon Thy Mistake.But, gracious Lord, whate'er shall be,Don't let anyone bomb me.
John Betjeman
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I ought to warn you that my verse is of no interest to people who can think.
John Betjeman
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Now if the harvest is over, And the world cold, Give me the bonus of laughter, As I lose hold.
John Betjeman
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History must not be written with bias, and both sides must be given, even if there is only one side.
John Betjeman
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Safe were those evenings of the pre-war worldWhen firelight shone on green linoleum,I heard the church bells hollowing out the sky,Deep beyond deep, like never-ending stars.
John Betjeman
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Miss J. Hunter Dunn, Miss J. Hunter Dunn,Furnish'd and burnish'd by Aldershot sun,What strenuous singles we played after tea,We in the tournament - you against me!
John Betjeman
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Hymns are the poetry of the people.
John Betjeman
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It's strange that those we miss the mostAre those we take for granted.
John Betjeman
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No hope. And the X-ray photographs under his armConfirm the message. His wife stands timidly by.The opposite brick-built house looks lofty and calm,Its chimneys steady against the mackerel sky.
John Betjeman
