David explaining the history behind Cross Bones graveyard. He stands facing three guests as they listen

Journey Through Verse: Poetry and Memories with London Bridge Tour Guide David 

  • 20 March 2024
  • by David, London Bridge tour guide
David stands facing three guests as they stand along the Thames River on his tour

This is a poem that I wrote in 2000, titled “If It’s Meant to Be, It Will Be”. I recited it at a Crossbones Graveyard vigil, and tend to mention it while being outside of the graveyard on my tour.

If it's meant to be it will be. 

I used to know a wise lady who I would take my troubles to
and she would give me a remedy for my pain,
but now she is gone 
and I have to remind myself 
of the things that she used to say. 

"Don't go chasing the wind."
If there is one thing that I will always remember,
it's that " If it's meant to be it will be."
That's what my mother always told me. 

Maybe I have not kept trying as long as I should have
and have given in when things have got tough,
but these words have been my motto
and at least I know I haven't wasted my time. 

"Don't go chasing the wind."
If there is one thing that I will always remember,
it's that " If it's meant to be it will be."
That's what my mother always told me. 


We will see each other again,
in heaven we will be reunited,
but she was taken from here
and now these words have become dear. 

 " Don't go chasing the wind."
If there is one thing that I will always remember,
it's that " If it's meant to be it will be."
That's what my mother always told me.

What is your favourite art-form to create? Does it differ from your favourite way to consume art?

David stands outside of Crossbones Graveyard, holding open his guide book with a photo of the bench inside the graveyard.

My favourite art form to create is lyrics. Some of what I write has its own tune, but I have written parades (changed lyrics from the original songs) and poems without any tune at all.

My favourite art form to consume is music, although I haven’t written songs, because I am yet to get the tune across to someone else. I don’t play musical instruments. 

Which museum in London would you highly recommend to your London Bridge tour guests?

My favourite museum is the Young V&A The Museum of Childhood. I have told my customers about this on my tour. When I walked around the museum I felt differently to how I have felt walking around other museums. This is because when you walk around other museums you see things that other people used to use. Now, you do see those in the museum of Childhood, but you also see toys and games that you and your friends used to play with. It is the only museum I have found that could bring me back my own memories.

Colourful William Shakespeare Street Art, painted by James Cochran, also known as Jimmy C

Can poetry be found in places?

I believe that poetry can be found in places like on the underground. For example, the place on my tour that I think is the most poetic is Crossbones graveyard.

Is there anything along the route of your tour you would consider art?

There is art along my tour, street art, although not as much on the Brick lane tour. There are artdeco designs in the area, like at St. Olaf house and the art in Lucy Brown’s garden, and the Shakespeare mural painted by James Cochran.

To my mind these are all types of art. 

– David