It’s good and flat up here

to stroll or cycle, above the pines

that cling to the cliff – the French coast unclear

in summer’s haze; a path zig-zags below

through man-made grottos, greenhouse flowers jewel

the close-cut lawns in geometric lines,

The Grand beams Earth Peace across the Channel.

In teeming city streets an hour ago

we battled clamouring traffic, tainted air,

stood blinkered on the jam-packed underground

to catch the hi-speed train. Now pulses slow

as we absorb the breeze and breadth of sky,

waves stroke the shore, let’s emulate their sound;

when breath’s held tight – unleash it with a sigh.

[Part of Yoko Ono’s installation Earth Peace 2014 for

Folkestone Triennial is a Morse code message beamed

by a light from the roof of The Grand]