The city is not only a form of modern life; it is the physical embodiment of a decisive modern consciousness – Raymond Williams
Swallows chatter and dive through the estate
some resting awhile on cables breeze bobbing
possibly pondering an early return? The day’s
heat not quite melting the unlined tarmac
still seeking the shadow of established trees on
my route to the station past The Far Lea the house
where the border collie patrols in some kind of
pretence at guarding dappled light past the fields
where you can see rabbits bask in late afternoon
sun the train intersecting the M57 and past the
golf course to the left and the racecourse to the
right so many hours spent staring through glass
speeding by waving back to those waving jumping
when a half brick clangs against the thankfully double
glazed window recalling time spent sleeping on the
6.58 a.m. to Sandhills 17 and the walk past the BAT
tobacco factory before it was sold gutted and half-turned
into flats mindful of Vauxhall’s regeneration cul-de-sac
‘Brookside’ wannabes Stanley Dock magnificent river
light cascading through Hartley’s neglected masterpiece
unhappily gathering litter on Sunday’s ‘Heritage’ market
day contrasting old and new Imo Car Wash Costco ToysRus
to the right car park sited on the old Tate & Lyle to the left
descend under Leeds Street running parallel with Pall Mall
counting tunnel strip lights through to Moorfields ignoring
the stop Central new goal for the fifteen minute
walk up the hill to Jordan Street through Bold Street’s bustle
onto Berry Street past the Parking Space Gallery where Jane
had her exhibition opening the night before Billy and Karl went
to Amsterdam the Chinese Arch shouldering the Blackie a riot
of colour through morning sunshine rice cast into gutters for
regular pigeons Square empty artificial hills concrete
pathways multicoloured play area quietness surrounds the
Cathedral stout proud protective aura towards the river
downhill once through the lines of streets St James’ Road
giving way to road widening schemes community decimation
Georgian grandeur ripped apart raining bombs not the excuse
The Chinese Gospel Church shifting sideways making space
for flats to edge the Square Chinese Wholesalers bustling with
trade buses trundle along past scattered pedestrians the Liver
Building on the horizon to my right as I amble slowly towards
Jordan Street past Industrial Units and seascape railings
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