To The City

As it says.

To The City

Early by an hour,

I sit.

In front of me an Americano,

served by the jolly Sicilian

owner of the Piazza cafe.

Window seat

with a street view

just where humanity spills

in constant ragged streams

from the Barbican tube station.

Hideous, high rise concrete towers

dominate the skyline

with their once award winning

architectural twists and turns.

They ascend from fortress like footings

of matching life-dulling grey,

streaked with the black smut

of constant traffic fumes.

The bridge opposite

has it's grimy face broken

by a coat of arms

with St Georges cross at its centre

and an oblong slate sign

etched with white lettering.

'City of London'

it boasts

as if no one must pass

without authority.

The people scurry,

a true mix of cosmopolitan earthlings,

all intent on their personal missions,

a mystery to my eyes.

All shapes and sizes,

all colours, heights, weights

and sense of dress.

Now and again someone stands out

from this morass of human effluent.

Their poise, their deportment

their hair, their choice of attire

sets them apart

as I digest this smorgasbord of life.

The sound of voices and traffic

is unrelenting.

Alive and vibrant and intoxicating;

and as I watch

I wonder at

black taxis,

red buses,

lime green jogging tops,

a Manchester United football shirt,

a spotted dress,

zig, zag pants,

bicycles,

caps,

ruck sacks,

sun glasses.

Identity tags

that scream

"don't delay me

I'm on  my rushed lunch break".

a wow red dress,

a wow black dress,

stripes,

short skirts,

fleeces,

coats,

all signifying the transition into spring-time

and the unpredictable English weather.

A pair of traffic wardens

in an on-corner conversation,

red banded peaked caps,

arms flailing as they animate

their tales of the day.

Such staid urgency

on this busy canvas

and I cannot wait

to leave.

 

09/04/15

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's good to craft our people watching skills - look what it inspired! I really liked how this scrolled down the page, revealing the taxi's and red buses, the zig- zag pants and bicycles...and my favorite - a wow red dress, a wow black dress! What a transition into spring!

[andrew mitchell]

Hi John and that's why I like the country than the grotesque picture you have presented so true of city life!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I agree and I don't mind a visit now and again, Many thanks Andrew,

[andrew mitchell]

will do! and I appreciated your visits

[Lydia Shutter]

People watching is a delightful pastime and you have paired it with watching the movement of the city. You really brought us to the scene, John. The pace of the city is fast....very fast. However, I think sitting back and watching it from the sidelines can be soothing. We all are part of the city.....never forget that. Loved this one. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much Lydi. I was early for an interview and sat in this restaurant just watching.

[Matching Socks]

Your writing really captures the pace of the city well and the sights you describe so true.
I work in the 'big city' but am so happy when I leave at the end of each day.
I sit on the train and decompress. Until the next day.
I'm considering giving up the briefcase for a garden hoe.
It's just that I don't have that sort of green thumb.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

So what do you do Ana. I don't have 'Green fingers' we call it but therefore I have a small garden 'plot' you all it lol. Many thanks!

[Matching Socks]

My gardens are fairly big but I have flowers and plants that pretty much care for themselves and grow back every year. I do a bit of maintenance every so often but not much.