During my various 'adventures' in London, I found this tree stump across the road from St. Pancreas. Written from the perspective of the tree, the poem makes the tree stump about as interesting as a tree stump can be.
THEY TOOK AWAY MY EYES, MY EARS THEY'LL NEVER KNOW HOW MANY TEARS I'VE CREID BECAUSE I LOVED THIS VIEW OF LONDON. THE DICKLING BIRDS HAVE FLOWED AWAY, THE BLACKBIRD, SPARROW AND SO THEY SAY A SPECKLED WITNESS TOOK THE STAND TODAY. I SAW IT SIR... ...I SAW A MAN LIKE DRAGONS CLAWS I THINK WHERE HANDS DID SCREAM A LARK. IN ONE FELL SWOOP AND TEETH SO SHARP HE TOOK OUR STUMPY TO KNACKERS YARD WHERE TO FLY NOW... SOMEWHERE NEW TO TELL YOUR WIFE OF HOW WE GREW. THE CATS AND DOGS AND ALL THAT CAME TO THANK US. GONE THE MIGHTY LONDON PLANE. THE EAGER SOUND OF CHUFF CHUFF TRAIN GONE THE FLIGHTY CHORUS OF ST. PANCRAS. |
To me, this reflects a small part of our culture. Not in the sense of literature, but in freedom of speech and expression. Whilst most would, correctly, associate freedom of expression with voicing political opinions, it can also come down to this. Everyday expression, without fear of judgement or any obligation to conform. This freedom is what is also great.
This poem was noticed, by me and perhaps others, and this makes it special. It makes me, for one, appreciate the many individuals in London. London is such a busy, crowded city. The hustle and bustle of the streets mean that while you come into contact with so many people in one day, you never really know any of them. You never really have the time to talk, get to know, or sometimes even acknowledge others.
that one person spent the time to compose, write out, and thus share this poem speaks more to me than the sentiment of the poem itself. This sense of anonymous community, which perhaps only I feel, is something to be treasured in our lonely, 24-7 world.
This poem was written freely, without need of acknowledgement or applause. If more people acted in this way, or could act in this way, the world would be a better place.
Perhaps I read to much into this. Perhaps it is just a poem, written from boredom and never meant be seen, only forgotten. Though I do believe, the human race would be nothing, if not for its ability to see deeper. At least, nothing good.
Perhaps commemorating those who have fallen fighting for similar rights of expression in other countries is more significant, sensitive and appropriate, than this particular eulogy could ever be.
This poem was noticed, by me and perhaps others, and this makes it special. It makes me, for one, appreciate the many individuals in London. London is such a busy, crowded city. The hustle and bustle of the streets mean that while you come into contact with so many people in one day, you never really know any of them. You never really have the time to talk, get to know, or sometimes even acknowledge others.
that one person spent the time to compose, write out, and thus share this poem speaks more to me than the sentiment of the poem itself. This sense of anonymous community, which perhaps only I feel, is something to be treasured in our lonely, 24-7 world.
This poem was written freely, without need of acknowledgement or applause. If more people acted in this way, or could act in this way, the world would be a better place.
Perhaps I read to much into this. Perhaps it is just a poem, written from boredom and never meant be seen, only forgotten. Though I do believe, the human race would be nothing, if not for its ability to see deeper. At least, nothing good.
Perhaps commemorating those who have fallen fighting for similar rights of expression in other countries is more significant, sensitive and appropriate, than this particular eulogy could ever be.