What’s the best thing to do during a London heatwave? Head for a Lido! These gorgeous art-deco installations, so fashionable in the nineteen thirties and the scene for the charming Rodgers and Hart 1926 musical, after a period of decline have come back into their own. Our favourite one? Charlton Lido!
THE LIDO
In summer’s light the lido elongates
fresh turquoise-dappled water to high sun.
Liquidity of wavelets captivates
and melts a splash of swimmers into one.
Ideals of expired years, young nature’s skin
unsheathed, pretended a new age of health
while war-clouds hung and hid mad fiend within
and river maidens lost their golden wealth.
Lank flowered dresses are undraped and breasts
and seaside conversations dream away
for secret gardens, lonely sands and quests
in search of that which stays pale flesh’s decay.
Entowelled by suburban rose-flanked wall
star-glinted water clasps me in its thrall.
FP.
