The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

What is London like?

Pavements of people,
A century’s-old steeple,
A modern glass gherkin,
Head honchos working,
Black taxis crawling,
Red buses sprawling.
That’s what London looks like.

Fish and chips frying,
Hot tarmac drying,
Traffic unmoving,
Bakers' dough proving,
Coffee beans burning,
River boats churning
That’s what London smells like.

Warm scones and jam,
A plate of roast lamb,
Sausage in batter,
An egg sandwich platter,
Soup kitchens, stress,
Ambition, success.
That’s what London tastes like.

Knives and forks clinking,
Traffic lights blinking,
Taxi cabs beeping,
Road cleaners sweeping,
Grey pigeons flapping,
Theatre folk clapping.
That’s what London sounds like.

A white-knuckle ride,
A true sense of pride,
Busy and bustling,
Hurried and hustling,
A labyrinth to roam,
A place to call home.
That’s what London feels like

About the Writer


Sue Lancaster

Sue is a children's writer living in South West London with her husband, two children and pet budgie, Buddy. Before turning her hand to writing, Sue worked in TV as a Production Manager and got her degree in Media Studies at the University of East London. She grew up in Clacton on the coast of Essex and spent much of her childhood writing stories and poems, playing with her three cats, and being tormented by her two older brothers.