12.03.2009

Ode to a crane

Dianne Padgett is crazy about cranes and in order to help raise funds for Comic Relief wrote a poem about a crane she had been watching and recited it to the crane operator. Here is here message:

I’m Diane, and I’m crazy about cranes! I’ve been watching the movements of a crane which is operating at BAM Construction’s site at South Thames College. This beautiful crane inspired me to write a little poem – then I heard about Red Nose day. Then I thought wouldn’t it be great if I could read the poem to the crane driver for Red Nose Day, so I asked BAM, and look at what happened…

Andy Lock, BAM’s project manager, told the crane driver, John, who has agreed to come down from his tower crane cabin for me to give my reading. Not only that, but Andy and BAM are helping me raise money for Comic Relief by arranging for an eight foot red nose to be fitted onto the crane, and donating the costs of the crane hire for that week. What’s more, they have invited me to make it into the crane driver’s cabin!
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John the crane operator with Diane and her poem

But there’s more... South Thames College and the company's supply chain for this massive construction project are also helping out with fundraising – more details next week!

Please sponsor us all for this fun and exciting event that has grown up out of my innocent request, and please do tell others about it! And give generously, but only what you can afford! And thank you for reading my poem!

Diane Padgett


My Lofty Friend

I watch him from my window
All day long - my hero!
Remote, aloof, remaining
Even when it’s raining.

I see him from my study
And wish he was my buddy.
His jib is cut precisely,
He swings it, oh, so nicely
In arcs almost balletic.
He’s just so, oh - kinetic.

But way too far above me.
How can I make him love me?
I’d signal, wave a banner,
Go out and buy a spanner –

Or lob him a hot dinner?
That might be a winner.
It’s all so very tiresome.
I could go out and hire some
Enormous blooming ladder.
Could anything be sadder?

A girl can get impatient
While gazing from her casement.
Oh, come down to my level
You manipulative devil.

Click here to go to Diannes page on Comic Relief.