the city

feeling bleak on the off-

peak, cheap

single to king's x

It used to be

Like,

Being born,

Like,

Emerging - grotesque, grinning

From the folds of flat farmland, fat

cheeks as taught and round

as Lincolnshire hills,

And the buildings!

Shiny new toys squeaking in newborn fists

And the graffiti!

Freshly-painted nursery walls

And Camden! Southbank! Covent Garden!

Words uttered for our repetition.

too familiar now

to reach out

(childish)

to grip the city's finger

(to find a shard in my palm)

The pigeons still coo like mothers