Peace Breaks Out In London

As I left Victoria,
passing the bank of phones to the right,
making my way towards the newsstand
and bustle of Terminus Place,
I realised that peace had broken out.
For me, emerging
into the Saturday lunchtime sunlight,
this was a defining moment.
Things seemed easier
and London relaxed
in an unfamiliar climate.
The ceasefire was holding.
There was no war,
no cold war or threat of attack,
no foreign adventure
to increase the risk of terrorism.
Even dissatisfaction with the government
found expression in a resurgent opposition,
decreasing the chances of civil unrest.
I realised that bomb threats
and evacuations
seemed a thing of the past.
There was not even the potential menace
of Chelsea supporters
congregating in the bars and concourse,
since this was during the short period
between football seasons.
The enormous Guinness advert
was jovially philosophical,
quoting G.K.Chesterton:
"The only way to be sure of catching a train
is to miss the one before."
How right he was,
I'd missed my connection
and knew exactly how much time to kill
before my train to the North Downs
and the loving arms of my waiting girlfriend
(via Bromley South).
So I strolled Victoria Street,
mingling with tourists and welcoming vendors,
and Londoners at play.
Just passing through
in a fleeting moment of peace.
I didn't know what was to come,
that Canary Wharf
and other explosions
would shatter the ideal,
but for a day at least,
I felt at home in London
and London was at peace.