The Royal Docks

" VOICES FROM THE PEN "

The Royal Docks

Stillness and silence, has cloaked this once majestic scene,
These were the greatest docks at one time, the world had ever
seen,
Ships from many countries that had been secured against these
berths,
Arrived with their precious shipments, from over this mighty
earth.

Powerful cranes swung into action, to unload their allotted
charge,
And placement was made of these cargoes, into a floating barge,
The remaining freight was sorted, and allocated far and wide,
Some was transferred to other ships, before the ebbing tide.

Warehouses filled with merchandise, foods, wines and fancy hats,
Goods already chosen, had been loaded on to transport, ready for
dispatch,
Strong and steady men did the work, and accomplished it with such
pride,
But some workers did not stay long; others did, until they died.

The mighty docks were blasted, but not closed by the Kaiser's flying
men,
Hitler also attempted to destroy "The Royal Docks" but simply failed
again,
Throughout these years the docks survived, and a tale can now be
told,
The people that had worked here these years were very brave and
bold.

Within this complex, workers fought battles for their rights,
When conditions asked for did not change, they voted to go on
strike,
At last, the changes did arrive, for the better or for the worse,
Some say it made them very happy, and others just cried and
cursed.

The closure of this mighty dock land, was due to progress and
gain,
Containers are now the way of life, and easier dispatched by
train,
Progress they say must go on, but days here, will not be the
same,
The generation now living there, uses the water just for sport and
games,
To that past era; where our forefathers achieved their daily
task,
I raise my hat and think of them, and a time that's completely
past.

Roy Coppin