Night falls on London Town.
Hustlers, dancers, and musicians
and all who know the seedier side
of city life begin to drift to work.
Men steal greedy glances
at teenage girls in low-cut dresses
and hungry youngsters full of lust
head for Soho to the bars and clubs.
New lovers meet, old lovers kiss
and the smell of sex is hanging in the air.
Home-sick fragile girls
—most almost children—
begin once more their life of shame.
Bewildered and afraid
they lean in darkened doorways
ready to sell their battered bodies
on seedy beds in dingy basements.
Homeless wrecks, gather at Waterloo
to spend their night in cardboard boxes.
Their stories never told—from a baby girl
or baby boy to a drunken mess, with nothing
in their wretched lives but a flask of meths.
Three in the morning.
John O'Kelly in an alcoholic stupor
tries in vain to forget Veronica.
She had said she would stay forever
but as she was promising undying love
she was opening their door to leave.
All is quiet at this hour
except for the sound of those hurting
and of all who lost all hope
and of the sound of Johnny's body
floating silently down the river.
A few words about the poem…
Poems of Despair: An Analysis of “The Ballad of John O’Kelly”
"The Ballad of John O’Kelly" is a striking example of poems of despair and loneliness, delving deep into the bleak realities of life on the margins of society. Through its vivid portrayal of London's nocturnal world, the poem captures the profound isolation and sorrow experienced by its characters, reflecting a broader commentary on the human condition.
The poem begins with the descent of night over London, signalling the emergence of those who navigate the city's underbelly. The initial verses paint a picture of a world where desperation and longing are ever-present, with men casting "greedy glances" and "hungry youngsters" seeking momentary satisfaction in the hedonistic spaces of Soho. This setting serves as a backdrop for the exploration of despair and loneliness that characterises the lives of the poem's subjects.
Central to the poem's theme are the "home-sick fragile girls," whose presence underscores the vulnerability of youth drawn into cycles of exploitation. Described as "almost children," these girls embody a tragic innocence lost, forced into "a life of shame" that perpetuates their isolation. Their bewilderment and fear, as they "lean in darkened doorways," highlight the emotional desolation that defines their existence. These images resonate with the theme of despair that runs through the poem, marking it as a poignant addition to the tradition of poems of despair and loneliness.
The poem’s focus then shifts to the homeless, gathering at Waterloo station. The image of "homeless wrecks" spending the night in "cardboard boxes" is a powerful commentary on the alienation faced by society’s most disenfranchised. Their "stories never told" emphasise the invisibility of these individuals, whose lives have been reduced to "a flask of meths." This portrayal serves as a critique of a society that neglects its most vulnerable, leaving them in a state of perpetual despair and loneliness.
John O’Kelly, the poem's titular character, is introduced in the final stanzas, epitomising the personal toll of loneliness. His attempt to "forget Veronica" in an "alcoholic stupor" reflects the depth of his despair, as he grapples with the emotional void left by her departure. The image of his "body floating silently down the river" at the poem’s close is a stark representation of the ultimate surrender to hopelessness. This quiet demise, unnoticed by the world, encapsulates the profound isolation that can accompany such despair.
"The Ballad of John O’Kelly" offers a sombre reflection on the themes of despair and loneliness, positioning itself within a tradition of poems that explore the darker aspects of the human experience. Through its stark imagery and unflinching portrayal of life on the margins, the poem invites readers to confront the realities faced by those who live in the shadows of society. In doing so, it contributes to a broader discourse on the emotional and psychological impacts of loneliness and despair, making it a compelling example of poems of despair and loneliness.
This poem is dedicated to my dear friend John O’Kelly, may he rest in peace.
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