Derby Poem by john patrick brien

What have they done to the town I once loved, why have they done it at all? The Westfield centre is far too big, the new bus station far too small. The rest of the town is dying, most shops are closed, or to let,
If the planners that did it ever lived in this town, they must be full of regret. Empty stalls in the market hall, I never thought I would see,
I am old enough to remember, the way it used to be.
Even the smells are different; you can not tell them apart,
The only smell now is junk food, enough to break your heart.

In the Morledge, the open market has gone, where once there were bargains galore. And at the entrance to the riverside gardens, the bright red mine stands no more. At the opposite end of East Street, is a beautiful building to see, on the corner of St Peters Street, the one where Boots used to be. Even Cockpit Hill had a market, with characters, Mad Harry, and such,
And a pet shop on the front of the bus station, things really have changed so much.

The ice factory went along time ago, in the end the whole thing burnt down, I know things must change for the better, but that’s not the case in my town. If you walk along to Victoria Street there is nothing much there any more, the place is full of night clubs, with bouncers outside every door.

The post office on the corner, is even a night club too,
If you round the corner to ST James Street, there may be no one there but you. But look up at the beautiful buildings, in the Wardwick, and the Strand,
If you can then take a photo, who knows how long they will stand.
02/03/2014