They picnic in the dunes

They picnic in the dunes

Lie together

On the sand

Beneath the branches

Of willow trees

The arches of old stone bridges

Built before steam

When women were burned as witches

If they showed a hint

Of intellect

Of difference

Of blood.

They take a punt

At Oxbridge

Paddle their own canoe

Roll around in hay barns

Fight for freedom

Raise the roof

Break through glass ceilings.

They tow barges filled with coal

Live their lives in shadow

Happy together

Worlds apart

Dance the Fandango

As graceful as a swan

Spin and twirl

With gusto

Past midnight until dawn

Steal kisses under moonlight

Stoke the fires

Fill the trucks

Man the walls

Against the flood

Live quiet lives

As lonely as the sea

In a land

Where children play

And cornfields grow

As high as any man

With tall dreams

A restless spirit

A wooden heart

And feet of clay