David Sloan, 10E"Slough" and"In Westminster Abbey"

David Sloan, 10E
"Slough" and
"In Westminster Abbey"

by John Betjeman

"Slough"

John Betjeman travelled around England looking at many towns, and writing poems. One of these was Slough.

Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough
It isn't fit for humans now,
There isn't grass to graze a cow,
Swarm over, Death!

"Slough" is 'written' by a man who lives in Slough, which at that time was a new town built by the government after World War II. From the descriptions by Betjeman, it's very built up, and everything about it is artificial and with concrete everywhere. There is no grass anywhere, and the town is completely empty of nature. The man would like the town completely destroyed. The "friendly bombs" is an oxymoron - bombs are made for destruction purposes, not usually viewed as friendly.

Come, bombs, and blow to smithereens
Those air-conditioned, bright canteens,
Tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk, tinned beans,
Tinn...