Yesterday, Today

Yesterday’s streets thronged, hummed
With city purpose, urban jostle
Feisty young people bustle
Keenly down Deansgate
Up Market Street marching.
People, buses, trams, trains,
All in motion; all moving.

But today …

Feathery grey floating down
Speck upon speck
Each tiny, yet with power
Grey speck upon the Beathan Tower
Grey speck
Upon Piccadilly Station
Grey speck
Upon Saddleworth Moor remote
To lay a thick and dusty coat
Layer upon layer upon layer.

Bridgewater Canal congealing sludge
Reality no politician can budge.
The grey man has come down
The grey man of Manchester Town.

Martin Delemare

14th June 2010

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