Cookham saved from oblivion by
Stanley Spencer and Jesus Christ

Common to Jordan and Thames is water. What else?
The presence of Jesus Christ, of course.
Because the saviour not only preached in Kafarnaüm,
Gadare and Genesaret, but he called at Cookham,
Berkshire, too. Just check out Stanley Spencer.

The painter remembers us. With the king of Jews
preaching during regatta’s. With punts full of people
looking astonished at the antidote for double time.
On the banks greedy contemplation. Here and there
some unbelievers yet, mostly women. Cold-eyed.

Even the mass resurrection in this town leaves them immobile,
as if they watch a cinema running out. Don’t they recognize
Matthew Sweeney's granny who rises younger and slimmer
than ever from the dead? Are they practised in getting lost?

The chiming of the cathedral is tattood in my recollection.
Three-four time. Fivethousandandforty possible variations.
A man ringing the bells for forty years has to part with an arm