Gordon’s Way
Several hundred times I’ve made my way down
the steep coastal path to Seaton Hole
and often have I wondered about the sweet sign
at the top of the final flight of steps
which proudly announces
GORDON’S WAY
Was Gordon someone who particularly loved this place?
Must have been
Was Gordon loved and respected by others?
Must have been, too
But the other day
I got chatting to a local artist
who turned out to be Gordon’s son
and he proudly told me the full story
See, once upon a coastal time, a chunk of the land above Seaton Hole
decided to crumble and tumble down to the sea
destroying the original path
and requiring walkers
to re-route inland
but Gordon
being Gordon
decided to build a new way down
and so set to work
carefully building a solid flight of steps
step by step
by step
Of course, the fine ladies and gentlemen of East Devon District Council weren’t particularly impressed by this bypassing of the usual, established
democratic procedures
It’s anarchy in action!
Think of the example he might be setting!
But not for Gordon letters humbly requesting that ye do generously and honourably apportion some of your precious budget to the rebuilding of the path down to Seaton Hole thereby restoring the pedestrian enjoyment of your grateful forelock-tugging humble servants...
No pleading, no requesting, no wrangling, no waiting
No “Yours et cetera”
et cetera
No No!, even
Just an obvious Yes!
step by step
by step
Ignoring the Council’s letters of desistance
was his chosen form of resistance
in fact
Gordon wasn’t resisting anything at all
he was just being
and creating
the change he wanted to see
vision and strategy and tactics woven seamlessly
step by step
by step
Not the co-dependent whining tones of protest
for Gordon
just the confident, governmental hum
of leadership and willing labour and healthy sweat
step by step by step
News travelled, his son explained, and a local nature trust gave him a special reward
and when the steps were finished there was quite a celebratory launch
what with family and aforementioned nature trust and local press and
oh guess!
district councillors in attendance too
who all trooped down to Seaton Hole
step
by step
by step
So, if ever you’re feeling powerless in this world
and protest ain’t providing any satisfaction
just remember
Gordon’s Way
and take some good old-fashioned
direct action
Several hundred times I’ve made my way down
the steep coastal path to Seaton Hole
and often have I wondered about the sweet sign
at the top of the final flight of steps
which proudly announces
GORDON’S WAY
Was Gordon someone who particularly loved this place?
Must have been
Was Gordon loved and respected by others?
Must have been, too
But the other day
I got chatting to a local artist
who turned out to be Gordon’s son
and he proudly told me the full story
See, once upon a coastal time, a chunk of the land above Seaton Hole
decided to crumble and tumble down to the sea
destroying the original path
and requiring walkers
to re-route inland
but Gordon
being Gordon
decided to build a new way down
and so set to work
carefully building a solid flight of steps
step by step
by step
Of course, the fine ladies and gentlemen of East Devon District Council weren’t particularly impressed by this bypassing of the usual, established
democratic procedures
It’s anarchy in action!
Think of the example he might be setting!
But not for Gordon letters humbly requesting that ye do generously and honourably apportion some of your precious budget to the rebuilding of the path down to Seaton Hole thereby restoring the pedestrian enjoyment of your grateful forelock-tugging humble servants...
No pleading, no requesting, no wrangling, no waiting
No “Yours et cetera”
et cetera
No No!, even
Just an obvious Yes!
step by step
by step
Ignoring the Council’s letters of desistance
was his chosen form of resistance
in fact
Gordon wasn’t resisting anything at all
he was just being
and creating
the change he wanted to see
vision and strategy and tactics woven seamlessly
step by step
by step
Not the co-dependent whining tones of protest
for Gordon
just the confident, governmental hum
of leadership and willing labour and healthy sweat
step by step by step
News travelled, his son explained, and a local nature trust gave him a special reward
and when the steps were finished there was quite a celebratory launch
what with family and aforementioned nature trust and local press and
oh guess!
district councillors in attendance too
who all trooped down to Seaton Hole
step
by step
by step
So, if ever you’re feeling powerless in this world
and protest ain’t providing any satisfaction
just remember
Gordon’s Way
and take some good old-fashioned
direct action
