All is quiet, tonight,
in these parts.
Apart from a cat
- and two tarts -
there’s no else
to be seen.
The toms tease me
with words that are lewd
and obscene.
Not a lot
goes on around here
if you exclude
the odd shot,
the stabbings
and the occasional mugging,
with the silence broken
by the heart-rending sobs
of the victims.
And one has to close one’s ear
to the raucous cacophony
of marauding yobs
who’ve binged on beer.
As I said, nothing much
happens round here.
© Luigi Pagano 2008
Comments
littleditty | October 5, 2008 - 12:02
Luigi! this reminds me so much of beautiful Archway, Islington on the Grassy Knoll of Hornsey Rise! All is quiet tonight? Sometimes one feels so very quiet and peaceful no matter what is going on around - enjoyed :)
luigi_pagano | October 5, 2008 - 17:04
How odd that you should mention Archway, Nicky. It brought back memories. I used to live in digs in nearby Tufnell Park for a time in the early 1960s and would commute everyday on the Northern Line.
I don't know what the area is like nowadays but then it was fairly safe.
Glad you enjoyed.
Luigi x
littleditty | October 5, 2008 - 19:43
well - i left because i saw too many police yellow tape, shootings, cats, dogs, yobs, stabbings, and 'heart rendering sobs of the victims'! Your poem said it all Luigi, although it has it's ups and downs, mine was a very bad street for a while
:( peace :)
Silver Spun Sand | October 6, 2008 - 12:14
Brilliant poem, Luigi. One of my favourites in fact. It says much about our society in just a few, well-chosen words. I used to know Archway very well. I was born in Tottenham and my aunt worked as a dental nurse in Whittington Hospital and occasionally across the road in Archway.
A well-deserved cherry:-)
Tina xxxxx
luigi_pagano | October 6, 2008 - 14:06
Hello dear Tina, everybody seems to know Archway, well two other people at least. I can't say that I recall much of the place as it was over forty years ago when I lived in that area but at the time I was quite settled in its environs.
You are right about the state of our society nowadays and it is rather frightening.
Cherries are always welcome, of course, and at times I have a sneaky feeling, when I post a particular piece, that one is forthcoming. Mind you in this instance I was becoming worried that I might be wrong.
Love, Luigi xxxxx