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Proud city father



TAKE ME BY THE HAND AND LEAD ME THROUGH THE STREETS

OF THIS OLD CITY THAT I THOUGHT I KNEW SO WELL

BUT IT'S FOREVER CHANGING, THE FACES, THE ACCENTS

LIKE THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS DIRECTING

ROWS AND ROWS OF DIRTY BUSES

BLACK TAXIS, PEOPLE RUSHING HOME

TO THEIR OWN IMPORTANT LIVES

NOT CARING ABOUT ANYONE

OR REALISING THAT THEY ARE PART OF

SOMETHING SO MUCH BIGGER


TAKE ME BY THE HAND WE'LL GO DOWN TO THE RIVER

AND SEE THE ENERGY OF NATURE NOW TAMED

AND USED FOR OUR AMUSEMENT AND COMMERCIAL VENTURES

TREAD CAREFULLY THROUGH BROKEN GLASS AND DOGSH*T

WATCH YOUR BACK AGAINST THE SETTING SUN

THE PLACE COMES ALIVE WITH TWINKLING LIGHTS

AND LIMOUSINES,EXPENSIVE SHOES, DESIGNER LABELS

AND MATCHING ACCESSORIES TO DIE FOR BUT WE CAN'T FOLLOW THE FASHIONS OF THIS CITY

IT'S BEST LEFT TO THOSE IN THE KNOW


TAKE ME BY THE HAND WE'LL HEAD OUT TO THE WEST

AND SEE WHAT THE WEALTH OF THE CITY HAS CREATED

ROWS AND ROWS OF LAVISH HOUSES, LANDSCAPED GARDENS

AN AIR OF EMPTINESS WRAPPED AROUND THE MIDDLE CLASSES

THERE'S SAFETY IN THESE STREETS

NO RUMBLINGS OF VIOLENCE FELT ACROSS THE GHETTOS

JUST A SANDWICHBOARD HEADLINE OF REASSURANCE

THAT READS "THE PROPERTY BOOM RIDES HIGH!"

BUT DOWN BENEATH THE WESTWAY

A YOUNG GIRL PREPARES TO SLEEPUNDER A BINBAG

LIKE THIS CITY COLD AND ALONE


TAKE ME BY THE HAND WE'LL FIND OUR WAY EAST

PAST BOARDED-UP SHOP WINDOWS ON DARK RAINY STREETS

CLASHED CULTURES REACTING TO LIVING TOGETHER

IN TOWERBLOCKS WITH VIEWS OVER THE CITY'S SQUARE MILE SO FAR FROM THEIR GRASP

BUT IN A ONE-BEDROOMED FLAT AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD

A YOUNG BOY SITS PLOTTING WORLD DOMINATION


I'LL TAKE YOU BY THE HANDAND LEAD YOU

THROUGH THE STREETS OF THIS OlD CITY THAT I LOVE

THROUGH ROTTING CORPSES OF ENTERPRISE

WHERE SOCIETY ONCE STOOD PROUD

NOW JUST A SHELL OF IT'S OLD SELF

BUT STILL WITH A BEAUTY UNMATCHED

THROUGH TOURIST TRAPS AND ROYAL FLAGS

PAST HOMELESS BEGGARS AND WEALTHY MONEYMEN

THROUGH LEAFY PARKs AND WALLS OF STEEL

FLY-POSTERED STREETS ONCE FULL OF BURNT-OUT SQUATS NOW RECYCLED AS UNAFFORDABLE LIVING

COMPLETE WITH ENSUITE

AND ALL THE ECHOED WHISPERS OF HISTORY


AND IT'S STILL CALLIN.......


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Mark Ayling