a poem for Jericho!

what we wrote
A treasure trove of words

And this is what we wrote:

I Love Jericho

By Clare Cochrane from the words of visitors to Jericho Street Fair 2011

I love:

Gentle river walks, the quiet canal, chatting with the ducks,

Rowing smoothly past the peaceful, lush, green riverbanks;

Striding across Port Meadow all misty in the morning -

Dew rising around the horses like a second, earth-born dawn.

I love:

Narrow boats, Art Weeks, sunshine streets;

Smiling faces, bunting, St Giles’ Fair;

The rock and roll priest with his motorbike and guitar.

The metallic chimes of the bells of St Barnabas -

Hear their comforting rhymes and you know where you are.

I love Jericho -

Introverted, contained, and surprisingly earnest,

People adamant that nothing should change,

Who want to keep it the way it is -

Perfect.

I love Jericho!

I live for the fishman!

I love Bleroni’s and the Jericho Cafe!

I love playing Pirates in the Park, all day!

I love the atmosphere at Jericho Street Fair:

The bouncy castle, girls dancing in the rain -

Rainbow bubbles drifting through the air;

Exotic stalls smelling of food from faraway lives,

Selling curious surprises – a pot of emulsion and a tie!

I love Jericho:

It’s welcoming and it’s fun,

You can revel in community -

It’s a lovely place to come!

I love Jericho;

A place so full it’s its own small town,

Yet so peaceful and quiet, a place to calm down,

You feel you’re in the country just a few feet from the city.

Neighbours close to each other, living cheek to cheek,

With friendliness, warmth, and a deep sense of community:

“Me encanta el sentido de comunidad en Jericho!”*

I love Jericho – it’s like a family, it gets into your blood.

I love Jericho – and I’ve only been here six months!

I love Jericho, I’ve been here all my life.

I love Jericho, it’s my home.

* I love the sense of community in Jericho

 

Download a PDF of the poem: I love Jericho 2011