John Cornford’s love poem ‘Heart of the Heartless World’ was addressed to his girlfriend Margot Heinemann. Cornford went to fight fascism in Spain with the International Brigade and was killed there on or just after his 21st birthday in December 1936.
In the Battle of Cable Street on 4th October 1936 Oswald Mosley and his fascists were stopped from marching through the East End of London against the Jews. The dockers (many of whom were Irish Catholics) joined the stand against the fascist marchers. It was said that the dockers remembered that their Jewish neighbours had supported them in the Great Dock Strike several decades before. The watchword shouted in the battle was ‘No pasarán!’: ‘They shall not pass!’ in solidarity with Spain. The fascists could not pass through the East End of London on that day. Shouted then, perhaps the words ‘No pasarán!’ were also a love poem.
The Docklands Light Railway from Bank to Poplar and beyond runs above Cable Street. If you travel on it, remember the poet Lorca, remember the poet Cornford and remember the Londoners who stood here and did not let the fascists pass.
Heart of the heartless world, dear heart, the thought of you is the pain at my side, the shadow that chills my view. The wind rises in the evening, reminds that autumn is near. I am afraid to lose you, I am afraid of my fear. On the last mile to Huesca, the last fence for our pride, think so kindly, dear, that I sense you at my side. And if bad luck should lay my strength into the shallow grave, remember all the good you can; don't forget my love.