On The Run
Whether loved or hated a city has otherness.
Tolerate that and find life's verve underneath
its thick asphalt skin.
Tufts of grass brave enough to fight through
paving are kindly avoided by feet of idealism
while pigeons count value in tuppence a bag.
Sane melts in a blink when thinking of cities.
Change pushes overnight handles of styled
alteration in circulation-excitement.
Sunrise mingles movement of street vendor
noise with exhaust's blackened fumes that
strangling quiet with stale odours diverge
to stiff necks digesting toxic when trying
to experience bits of lightening sky.
Handing out however gold stars for visits
old city locations collect every prize.
Convention, idolised in all ceremonial lures
those without background culture of glitter
as visitor-fever clutters streets of a city with
increasing intention its gilt to buy.
Hurray for the resident population's ready
welcome for day-long influx.
Eyes of all shades widen with wonder in
preparation for mass invasion of age-old
custom and dash to see rite-arrangement
that decreases contents of sizable wallets
in city's perpetual holiday trade.
Fantasy can move country-side dwellers
to choose packed quit-bags and see fun
in neon's bright cities.
Grand vistas of mellow-stone ancient walls
lean towards historic mutation yet draw
builders to mod-con. renovation for all
those wealthier waiting tenants.
Myriads the camera-shots of known faces
strolling down avenues made for the rich.
City folk love the familiar and keenly aid
all celebratory féting that performs ancient
ritual in coloured regalia before night's gaudy
take-over while morning's unshaven mirrors
yawningly wink at populous on the run.
Racing to earn crusts the early rush laughs
at the squeeze of discomfort as it wryly
kneads city bread with lust for its crumbs.
Whether loved or hated a city boasts not
only chance for adventure but otherness.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: May 3rd, 2018 03:22
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 25
- Users favorite of this poem: Laura🌻
Offline)
Comments7
Yes this immediately brings to life the hum of the city (in my case New York) which gives you a thrill the minute you are in the hustle...... possibilities seem endless...... but then it sort of swallows me up.... great description Fay!
Yes each city must have its own "hum" and its bustle gives out a note of music too. Thank you dear Lorna for this lovely comment and so pleased you liked the read.
this is something.
to enjoy city life.
among its negative aspects.
Thank you for bringing out the two aspects of city life in this perceptive comment dear Paul.
I could see the simple truth in your poem.
When I first left London I would have done anything to return but now I wouldn't go back for anything. Nonetheless I still think of it as home and get a buzz when I visit. The magic of it all is caught in yet another fine write Fay.
When I first entered London I would have done anything to leave it immediately Michael - - but I agree that each city has its own magic and am pleased you thought the verse had caught some of it here.
Very good write Fay, I was there walking down the crowded streets.
Ah - glad the write inspired your imagination dear Goldi - - walking the long streets of London each day must be oh so tiring with crowds all around -- but nevertheless there is much to be gained by a visit occasionally.
The occasional visit is fine but not regularly.
A fine write Fay.
Thank you dear Orchi - - the city has always intrigued me and with its ever increasing population I would not want to stay there for long as I would feel Cornwall calling me home.
My dear Fay,
The hustle and bustle of the city!
Use to love it...not as much any more! I guess youth has a lot to do with! Now I’m more of a city tourist than a city resident!
Your metaphorically rich write is extraordinary! I love reading your writings more than you’ll ever know! Thank you for sharing your gift 💝!
~Laura~
Thank you so much for this kind and encouraging comment on my postings dear Laura - I agree that like you I am more of a tourist to cities these days - wide open spaces help to while away time getting closer to nature for poets like us eh ?
🤗
Thanks FAY for sharing the Adventure & Otherness (nice word !) of URBAN LIFE ! Soon more than 50% of the Earths Population will live in cities (nearly 4 billion and rising !) largely out of necessity to earn a crust ! I am always horrified at soem of the conditions they live in ! However having lived in Cities in the UK (which is a very affluent Country !) I can see the attraction ! Work ~ Sport ~ Entertainment ~ Restaurants ~ Multi-Ethnicity ~ Education ~ Art ~ Opportunity etc compared with Rural Living ! I have never lived in a Village but I have lived in Small Towns and as I get older ~ and think of raising a Family I prefer a Small Town to a Big City especially as lack of respect for the Law and Personal Abuse ~ seems to be on the increase ! Thanks for caring ~ Yours as always ~ BRIAN !
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