9am Battersea Park (D.A. Clifford)

This section explores the poem 9am Battersea Park by D.A. Clifford. The poem 9am Battersea Park by D.A. Clifford is a contemporary poem that vividly captures the experience of a communal parkrun in London’s Battersea Park. The poem was written to commemorate the inaugural Battersea parkrun in October 2024. The poem explores themes of community, urban life, nature, and fleeting freedom.

You can read the poem below followed by analysis which will help you understand how to analyse contemporary poetry.

9am Battersea Park by D.A. Clifford

As hundreds of feet drum the carriageway,
Trainers slap against fast tarmac pave,
Each stride a chorus, a weekend ballet,
Our crowd becomes a surge like a tidal-wave.

I’ve come from North London, not far away,
The path becomes  alive, as pounding feet pass,
As marshals shout orders for all to obey -
“Keep to the left, stay off the grass”

Not far from the Thames, as the old river flows,
Smelling of sewage, flanked by monuments to greed
Winding and watchful, as our new community grows,
A river through time it ushers our speed.

In Battersea Park, the old trees stand,
Guarding our pace with joy the pack breathes—
Half an hour of freedom, mile after mile spanned,
In this park’s embrace, through the Autumn leaves.

Analysis

Form and Structure:

Sonnet-like qualities: The poem consists of 14 lines, hinting at the sonnet form. However, it deviates from traditional sonnet rhyme schemes, reflecting the spontaneity and organic nature of the run.

Regular quatrains: The poem is structured into quatrains, creating a steady rhythm that mirrors the repetitive pounding of runners’ feet.

Iambic rhythm: The poem predominantly uses iambic metre, contributing to the sense of motion and energy throughout the run.

Themes:

Community and Togetherness:

The poem celebrates a shared experience of running and parkrun. The phrase "our crowd becomes a surge like a tidal-wave" emphasises collective movement and unity.

The "new community" refers to the community formed by the runners at the new Battersea parkrun.

Urban Life and Nature:

Battersea Park serves as a haven of natural beauty amidst the urban environment.

References to the "Thames" and "monuments to greed" contrast the natural world with human development and materialism of the new regeneration of Battersea Power Station.

The "old trees" act as silent witnesses, offering a timeless contrast to the ephemeral, modern activity of running.

Freedom and Release:

The run offers "half an hour of freedom" as individuals escape the constraints of daily life.

The motion and rhythm of the run, "mile after mile spanned," suggest a meditative, liberating experience.

Language and Imagery:

Kinetic Imagery:

The poem is rich in movement, as seen in "feet drum the carriageway" and "Trainers slap against fast tarmac pave." This captures the physicality of running.

Words like "tidal-wave" convey the unstoppable energy and momentum of the group.

Natural Imagery:

"Autumn leaves" and "old trees" evoke the changing seasons and the continuity of nature.

The "river through time" metaphor highlights the Thames as a constant presence amidst human activity.

Sensory Details:

Smell is invoked with "smelling of sewage," grounding the poem in the gritty reality of urban life. This also acts as a modern critique of water quality in UK rivers, in 2024 with increasing public awareness of the presence of sewage.

Auditory elements like "marshals shout" and the "chorus" of feet create a vivid soundscape.

Tone and Mood:

Energetic yet Reflective:

The poem’s tone is dynamic, capturing the vitality of the runners. However, it also carries a reflective undercurrent, contemplating the interplay between human activity and the natural world.

Communal and Uplifting:

Despite the hustle of urban life, the poem conveys a sense of togetherness and shared joy.

Context:

Modern Urban Experience:

"9am Battersea Park" reflects contemporary urban life, where individuals seek solace in communal activities like parkruns.

The poem hints at the environmental and societal impacts of urbanisation, with subtle critiques of "monuments to greed."

Key Quotes for Analysis:

"Each stride a chorus, a weekend ballet" - Juxtaposes the physical exertion of running with the elegance of a ballet, suggesting harmony and collective rhythm.

"A river through time it ushers our speed" - The Thames symbolises continuity, guiding the runners through the passage of time.

"Half an hour of freedom, mile after mile spanned" - Emphasises the temporary escape and the boundless nature of the experience.

Conclusion:

D.A. Clifford’s "9am Battersea Park" blends vivid imagery, reflective tone, and rhythmic language to celebrate the intersection of community, nature, and urban life. The poem captures the spirit of parkrun a shared human experience, set against the backdrop of a historic and ever-changing city.