There was a time
When sandstone Oxford shone in summer days
In birdsong breeze, free from future cell phone jingles
Blessed with time to rest and time to ponder
Where Magdalen cloisters cooled the drift of passing hours
~
When carefree dresses swung on rhythm thighs
Along the banks of the lazy Cherwell
Raising eyes and hopes of pubside regulars
Four pints wise in lascivious dreams
~
Where Pine box Emma hawked stolen poetry in St Giles
Coining patronage from a wander of wide-eyed tourists
Then pawned her muse on spiced fried chicken
Surrendered Keats to Colonel Sanders greasy promises
~
There was a time
When we shopped around for friends and lovers
When Lennon supplied the answers
When love lay in Woodstock’s fields of barley
When you and I were young