The Oak king and his circus folk
They brought a marching band.
And felt this barn, below these trees was the fairest place to stand.

And Holly, the preacher who led them,
As the summer light held sway.
Removed his hat and stopped the crowd,
Then he turned to them to say,

‘May the winter never gather
Or those deep dark birds amass,
May these thoughts that might defeat you
Dissipate and pass’

Now there’s only bare earth
Where the elephants stood
And waited by the door.
Just yesterday their city stood here,
And the winds smelt of canvas and straw,

And miles ahead there was rain in sheets
That washed their coloured tents 
And the clowns playing cards in the corner 
Could’ve told you what this meant.

Kelston Laureate Jon Hamp reads his new poem at the Bard of Bath’s Solstice celebration inside Kelston Clump