HOW IT MUST HAVE BEEN
BY OONAH V JOSLIN
all along Bridge Street from the Old Gaol to the Town Hall
Whalebone to Queen's Head to King's Head to Turk's Head,
George and Dragon like pieces on a chess set
the yards alive with industry
the cattle market in full swing
steaming pats and urine, mooing kine,
straw and hay strewn on cobbles.
Coming through to Newgate Street
clinking bridles, hard wheel rims, never still,
to-ing, fro-ing, private trap and public carriage,
tuppence a mile from the Packhorse Yard,
its name eponymous with purpose,
day after day, hitched and sh