It's strange that those we miss the most Are those we take for granted. John Betjeman More Quotes by John Betjeman More Quotes From John Betjeman And London shops on Christmas Eve Are strung with silver bells and flowers As hurrying clerks the City leave To pigeon-haunted classic towers, And marbled clouds go scudding by The many-steepled London sky John Betjeman silver-bells flower clouds Hymn tunes are the nearest we've got to English folk music. John Betjeman folks hymns tunes Lovers of Norfolk churches can never agree which is the best and I think one is either a Salle or a Cawston man. John Betjeman church men thinking I am still reeling with delight at the soaring majesty of Norfolk. John Betjeman norfolk majesty delight Old men who never cheated, never doubted, John Betjeman air running men Oh! full Surrey twilight! importunate band! John Betjeman girl twilight games One mark of good verse is surprise John Betjeman verses mark surprise A whispering and watery Norfolk sound John Betjeman reeds whispering sound Oh Wasn't it naughty of Smudges? Oh, Mummy, I'm sick with disgust. She threww me in front of the judges, And my silly old collar-bone's bust. John Betjeman naughty horse silly Approval of what is approved of John Betjeman vow belief approval Lord, reserve for me a crown, John Betjeman crowns rewards lord Silver and ermine and red faces full of port wine. John Betjeman port silver red wine A verge in front of your house and grass and a tree for the dog, variety created in the façades of each of the houses -- in the coloring of the trees. John Betjeman