In honour of Tom Poole to celebrate his 256th birthday Monday 14th November 2022 . A short essay with photos from the day which took place in front of his house with the Sheriff of Somerset unveiling a plaque to recognise his wonderful philanthropy and friendships
Poem by the current owner of his home Diana Barsham who recited it on the day on the doorstep of the house
Birthday poem for Tom Poole
They say, Tom Poole, you never lost a friend in all your life.
All those of us who know this house, know that is true
For never was there place
So warm, so welcoming, so much like you –
A man with loyal feeling for the past
But keen enquiry for the coming new.
Straight-forward, plain, and practical to see
Yet full of light and hidden depth
And rare, befriending generosity.
This was a house where books and learning mixed
With evil-smelling tannery pits
The stench of animal skin, of oak-bark stripped
Filled all your mind with fiery politics:
A mind “intense and frugal, apt for all affairs”
Yet paved with poetry and edged with lime-tree bowers.
In your deep heart, Tom Poole, a revolution stirred:
Like tannin’s brew, it spoke the language of a better world.
The poets came and went, the inspired men
Of science too: a new song formed,
A modern balladry where humble folk and mariners
With trees and hills and streams and hedgerow birds
Told magic moonlit tales in simple words.
For Coleridge you were a coat against the cold,
A steady ground to earth his mind’s wild spark:
As brother, father, mother, friend
You were the anchor of his wandering bark.
A muse for Wordsworth, from your likeness took
His shepherd Michael, that great masterpiece
Of love and loss. From you he drew
The tender heart’s most manly epitaph.
And so, Tom Poole, if you were with us now
You would, I hope, be pleased – and proud –
To see enamelled on this plaque
What you achieved and how your life is valued still:
For everything you did for Stowey’s good
We give you thanks. In Cottage, House and Library,
In Savings Bank and Women’s Walk, your name stands ever tall:
And so God bless you, dear old Tom,
And happy birthday from us all.
Diana Barsham, November 14, 2022
