Jill I. Henderson, poetess, was raised in Haydon Bridge and from an early age was enthralled by the John Martin story. For the Martin evening (see Gail-Nina Anderson), Jill was specially commissioned by the 'Rainbow Writers' to cover the background to his life and compose a poem which encompasses a brief life history and expresses the inspiration of his works to her personally.
‘Martinesque’
In our village, Haydon Bridge-on-Tyne,
was born an artist, so bold, so fine.
From humble beginnings he began.
Achieved great things in his life-span.
When young he roamed the countryside pure,
Newcastle and London once mature
He worked hard painting china and glass
As an engraver he was first class.
His boss went bankrupt, all work gone
with a wife, no quitter was our John.
Impoverished, his future then looked bleak
But he possessed a mind unique.
He became a painter of sketches
of water-colours, oils and etches.
His pioneering grandiose style
sweeping corridors, mile upon mile.
Chaos, devastation and destruction,
Cityscapes of immense construction.
Hoary mountains and intense drama
Placid sea, serene panorama.
In a nightmarish world precious life
is full of pandemonium, and strife.
Martin's vision of reality
There on canvas plain mortality.
Daring 'Martinesque' novelty
Masses came including 'Royalty'
To view spectacular invention
Witness to his mind's conception.
So now when walking up Staward Gorge
in my mind, images I forge
of angry Bards, of Eve's temptation,
hiding, waiting, interpretation.