Bridge: Kingston
Poem Title: Free for Ever
Writer: Galen O’Hanlon
Creative partner: Steph Wright
The work: A hand-illustrated 32cm commemorative plate to celebrate the freeing of Kingston Bridge from tolls on 12 March 1870. While the poem is an elegy for the toll-man, the plate is a celebration of the high Victorian festivities. Inspired by old photographs and a printed menu from the day, the illustrations tell a story of banners, jellies, and pies — charming, whimsical and fun.
FREE FOR EVER
Galen O’Hanlon
Kingston Bridge, 12 March 1870
Yes, the bridge might be free,
free for evermore,
but Old Tom of the toll,
his job is no more.
He shuts the tollhouse,
bids his boy goodbye,
tips his hat to the mayor
as the procession rolls by.
He’s stood here longer
than anyone can tell,
since before the stone bridge
and the wooden one as well.
He’s an old river spirit,
with the marsh in his heart,
and his head in the mist
and his hand on the cart.
People throng in the streets,
banners shiver in the wind,
Old Tom watches on
as the crowd presses in.
There was snow at dawn,
and sun out at noon,
they lunch at The Griffin
and eat all afternoon:
Roast Fowls, Raised Pies,
Ornamented Tongues,
Fore Quarters of Lamb,
and Jellies Macedoine.
They come out blinking
in the last of the light –
see the sunset on the bridge,
free at last, what a sight.
Old Tom’s in the shadows
as dusk turns to night,
sees them build a pyre,
set the toll gates alight.
And the heat from the fire
glows red on his face,
how strange to be warmed
by his fall from grace.
So he turns to the river,
takes off his coat,
wades into the water,
with firelight on the boats.
“Here! Old Tom!” calls his
boy from the shore,
pulls a pie from his pocket,
“Take this, there’s more.”
He leans on a tree, and
he hears the boy say
“You never much liked
them gates, anyway.”
And Old Tom’s old face
cracks into a smile,
as they sit and stare
at the pyre for a while.