Corporation Oaks

Corporation Oaks

Corporation Oaks,
Stand steadfast, proud
Like sentries of the promenade,
Casting guard down 'Robin's' chase
To guide lost souls
- this sacred place?

Sanctuary sought, a glimpse revealed?
In the veil of Oaks upon the hill
To sit, to think, To contemplate
- a Pen and paper
stained in ink, not blood
the murderous tools
of hours to kill

In safety sat amongst the Oaks,
Nestling shadows under tree
View the city naked in it's splendour,
Seek beyond what eyes that see
Call of dawn
To sunset's last kiss,
silent vigil unceased

Down 'Robin's' Chase, St Ann's is sprawling -
paranomic paranoia
Endless flats, cars, people, houses.
this visual brick a brack
soaked in life,
the dance of Nottingham's calling

Call out and seek in this
real time picture painting,
24-7 gallery
Bird song lilts from out from the Oaks
Not yet beaten by the drum of traffic
Wind brushing up and down the hill
Treep tops rust, in unity
The watching Oaks conduct urban symphony

Watching down on Woodborough Road
Street girls hawk the cars
Like prehistoric scavengers,
all scrawny arms and vulgar beaks
spewing filth,
ever playing inner-city nightmares

The dealers peddle bags of sin,
but Woodborough Road cares not -
It winks and yawns - alive once more
Catching hasty breath, to bask in rush hour din.

Steadfast watcher's keep vigil,
Silent tears not for them,
As they have grown
Grown so tall, so proud, so strong - to share hope
Weathered many a season
seen the darkest night give in to light,
The blackest winter reclaimed by spring's freshness,
Endless cycles of life

Despair to Hope,
Black depression to wonderous joy,
Spring rain peltings wash away
Renew, spirit, hearts and minds
As sure as the sun rising over the circular mound,
Nestling and streaking through Oak branches
For those who seek
Corporation Oaks stand proud