I was not always as you see me now, decaying old ready to take a final bow.
I was beautiful tall and strong , a stable bet to set your life upon.
It is cold at night and the wind finds my every crack
I tremble and shudder now as the tubes roll by on the nearby track.
I brace myself against the traffic’s thunder,
Each day that passes the fact I still stand here is a wonder.
I used to hear the children sing ,
The chime of doorbells as they’d ring.
Families living in me weaving their life
As I stood there for them strong in their joys and strife.
I have seen babies born and babies die,
Mothers grieving, husbands turning a blind eye.
Birthdays, marriages, divorces all old hat, kindly couples happy in each others care
Evil bastards who knock their women flat out on the stair,
Or shout them down until they loose all hope
Weighted down with worries and too many children to cope.
The birds are now happy in my rafters
Their cooing fills my rooms instead of laughter ,
It is still a happy sound not unlike the sounds
Of children playing here there and all around.
At night lovers climb through my open doors
They make love upon my dust floors
For them I am their only meeting place ,
For what ever reason they may have to hide their face.
Drinkers also drug addicts too
They hide within my walls to do what they must do.
I am decaying crumbling away
I do not want to go yet I want to stay.
Try me out I could be the best deal for you
If you build me up I shall protect you true.
I could be the canvas to build your life upon.
I could be rebuilt, decorated and glazed I could dance again to children’s song.