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Where the River Humber meets the sea 
You’ll find, beside its ancient quay,
      Both fishing boats and fish and chips –
      And so much more to tempt the lips.

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This ancient North Sea fishing quay
Dates from the thirteenth century,
     But modern Hull can boast much more
     So come with me and let’s explore.

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The Suspension Bridge, of regal grace,
Links the shores within this place,
     Whilst Hull’s proud Minster gazes down
      Upon this busy, bustling town.

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Built high on stilts, above the quay,
Is something you are bound to see:
     A shopping centre, in its prime,
     That’s boasting all that’s maritime.

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Come to Hull’s ocean-underworld
And there, I promise you, unfurled
      Are creatures of the ocean deep 
      That slither, slide or swim and creep.

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*City of Culture? – It was, for sure,
So enter now Hull’s cultural door:
       Good music, literature and art?
       Oh yes, but that is just the start.

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They’ve poets old and poets new – 
And those who’re waiting in the queue:
     Those to welcome, those to shun
     And poets who have just begun.

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Have you heard of Wilberforce -
William Wilberforce, of course.
     This man from Hull set out and fought
      For human life that had been bought -

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For slavery, a shameful crime,
Was prevalent within his time,
      So Wilberforce came to the aid
      Of innocents sold in this trade.

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With others he was on a mission
To free all slaves by abolition - - 
    Yet exploitation still survives –
    The curse of many human lives.

 

It’s time to leave this cultural town;
Its universities, folk of renown;
    Its gardens, harbour with its gulls:
    So, farewell Kingston-upon-Hull.

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Copyright on all my poems 

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* City of Culture 2017

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