Topography is one of my chief themes in my poetry, about the country, the suburbs and the seaside. Then there comes love... and increasingly; the fear of death.
John BetjemanLudlow....is probably the loveliest town in England with its hill of Georgian houses ascending from the river Teme to the great tower of the cross-shaped church, rising behind a classic market building.
John BetjemanOn out deathbeds we're not going to regret all the work we didn't do. We're going to regret all the sex we didn't have!
John BetjemanPeople's backyards are much more interesting than their front gardens, and houses that back on to railways are public benefactors.
John BetjemanLovers of Norfolk churches can never agree which is the best and I think one is either a Salle or a Cawston man.
John BetjemanAnd I think it was the outline of that church tower at Belaugh against the sky which gave me a passion for churches so that every church I've past since I've wanted to stop and look in.
John BetjemanThere are two thing you need for a jolly good hymn.The first is a set of words that expresses the mood or sentiment of the worshipper.The second-and perhaps even more important- is a good tune..with a simple popular melody.
John BetjemanWhat the Londoner sees in his mind's eye is that cluster of towers and pinnacles seen from Pentonville Hill and outlined against a foggy sunset, and the great arc of Barlow's train shed gaping to devour incoming engines, and the sudden burst of exuberant Gothic of the hotel seen from gloomy Judd Street.
John BetjemanChildhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.
John BetjemanNorfolk would not be Norfolk without a church tower on the horizon or round a corner up a lane. We cannot spare a single Norfolk church. When a church has been pulled down the country seems empty or is like a necklace with a jewel missing.
John BetjemanHistory must not be written with bias, and both sides must be given, even if there is only one side.
John BetjemanToo many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury, not a necessity like petrol. But to me it's the oil of life.
John BetjemanI have a Vision of the Future, chum. The workers flats in fields of soya beans tower up like silver pencils, score on score.
John BetjemanOh Wasn't it naughty of Smudges? Oh, Mummy, I'm sick with disgust. She threww me in front of the judges, And my silly old collar-bone's bust.
John Betjeman