Once proud as she sailed on the Solent <br />But now so in need of repair, <br />Lies stranded upon the Medina <br />And nobody now seems to care. <br /> <br />All of her glories forgotten <br />At Dunkirk a veteran of war, <br />A life full of unbroken service <br />No future has she anymore. <br /> <br />She served thirty years as a ferry <br />Her days then all ended in shame, <br />A restaurant and club on the river <br />The was gutted by fire and flame. <br /> <br />Her windows are now mostly broken <br />Her lifeboats are all missing too, <br />Her paddles have all but now rusted <br />Their housings have all rusted through. <br /> <br />Her black hull is now so corroded <br />Her portholes are all open wide, <br />Yet still her proud name is emblazoned <br />On her bow is the epitaph 'RYDE'.<br /><br />ANDREW BLAKEMORE<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-paddle-steamer-ryde/
