Once proud as she sailed on the Solent
But now so in need of repair,
Lies stranded upon the Medina
And nobody now seems to care.
All of her glories forgotten
At Dunkirk a veteran of war,
A life full of unbroken service
No future has she anymore.
She served thirty years as a ferry
Her days then all ended in shame,
A restaurant and club on the river
The was gutted by fire and flame.
Her windows are now mostly broken
Her lifeboats are all missing too,
Her paddles have all but now rusted
Their housings have all rusted through.
Her black hull is now so corroded
Her portholes are all open wide,
Yet still her proud name is emblazoned
On her bow is the epitaph 'RYDE'.
ANDREW BLAKEMORE
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-paddle-steamer-ryde/
