Happy St George's Day!
Apr. 23rd, 2026 08:16 amhttps://open.substack.com/pub/smokingboot/p/for-st-georges-day?r=1r9jj7&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

For any readers who don't want to go to Substack, I'll put the poems (there are two) in the comments below.

For any readers who don't want to go to Substack, I'll put the poems (there are two) in the comments below.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-23 07:24 am (UTC)And have thyself a fine wassail
Now every wyrm, wyvern, and dragon
should quench its flame with merry flagon.
Come every damsel, every dame,
St George’s Day is here again,
So haste ye quickly down the pub
to sample landlord's ale and grub
And celebrate, with peace and cheer
Old England’s heart with England’s beer!
Or
In Albion the wind that cuts the shore
Bone white, then riven by the sky and sea,
Runs inward like the moonshod horse
Lopping the grass upon old Dragon hill,
And when the sun comes up, the land
Moves round the stones, so barleymen may say;
Twisting the tale with open lip and hand
Grown fat as sheep among the beanfields fed.
Albion's bard is wind on moor and wave,
And for her love, both George and Arthur bled
Who speak no more but tourney endlessly
From unknown barrow to old iron keep
And from Drake's drum no bidding beat shall come,
Though many turn in an unquiet sleep.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-24 01:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-04-24 12:06 pm (UTC)The photo is of the Lune valley in Lancashire. We try to meet up with mates there each year, have ourselves a reset in all that green. I find it good for my soul.