In Response
Robert Christian (1962) and his fiancee came to visit the College last month and whilst here viewed the current exhibition on display in the Quincentenary Library which looks at its history since opening in 1996.
Robert was particulalry interested in the ‘memories’ sent in by old members that are inclued in the exhibition and we were vey pleased to receive the following poem from him inspired by those memories and his visit to the exhibition. Permission has been given for us to reproduce the poem here. Robert also added that "Mr West was Head Porter, always(?) with a top hat and tails, and pinstripe trousers. Kindly and firm it seemed". Old members are encouraged to send in any of their reminiscences or items from their time in College to the College Archivist so that they can be added to the College Archives.
"In Response"
Thank you, modern thorough representative
giving us all the pleasure
of a tour through books but more
importantly the places of thought,
talk, art central enough
to withstand diminishing
It was after I rang a bell
fearing the worst and happy
as anything we could see inside
***
My research can only be
within the confines of my poetry
if this maybe honestly
that before I tell of what
happened to me:
exact preparation for interview
with Raymond Williams un-noticed
when he told of what
I now see as hope
And Mr Fisher seemingly warm
towards me, looking back
and subsequently.
***
And so, soon, (my pigeon-hole
was ‘C’) letters
signifying I did not kneel
yet did to have that other’s hands
upon my head
as my parents watched.
***
I have memories of the fun
of my blue transistor radio
and my own
door. The staircase, arguably-
dramatically perhaps the
hugest in the university (N)
echoes now to the cowed mystery
of being there. Mr West
was to be obeyed.
And the others! Dick, Stu, Jim,
Short, Coates, Andy, Bob, David,
Savage, perhaps we were
all baffled in the same way
by degrees we somehow had
to work towards
I’m not sure why- to stay
there, of course, the necessity.
Who would dare
ignore the rank of wonder
the chances also to waste
love as if it were
free, though looking back (again)
it cost much as did
the work
repaying both in alignment
towards memory
and shared victory
Robert Christian (1962-5)
For Rhona Watson, Librarian,
The Quincentenary Library, Jesus College,
Cambridge, with thanks
April 14th 2017
