The Spring Visit

Warm west winds in an Exeter garden
Far from Scotland's Calvinist gloom,
Ere my Celtic arteries harden
While the snowdrops are still in bloom
How I gasp for it, eagerly grasp for it
A spring resurrection from winter's tomb.
Talks Dobunnic, and walks Dumnonian,
Crucks and mirror style, chamfrein and bowl
Façade and pediment (quite Summersonian)
Each one blowing his own trumpet scroll.
Hint of the sun in it, glint of fun in it
A light-hearted banquet for reason and soul.

'probably 1950s'

NOTES

• from Lady Aileen Fox a TS copy of this poem—her date for the poem as above—and 'written before a visit to us in Exeter, probably in the 1950s' (communicated to the Editors 23-iii-1998). She added that it was to be included in her 'posthumous autobiography'
• Mercer (1996, Obit SP) 'As neat a parody as one could wish of his friend and neighbour John Betjeman . . .'. In this he was surely incorrect as Piggott's poetic style had its own developed form—in no way derivative of Betjeman's—and there is no indication that this poem was sent to John Betjeman [Eds]