Hyde, 1st August 2003

Hyde, August 1st 2003

The town is tainted by murder.
From the War Memorial on Werneth Low
we look out over Hattersley,
once the home of Myra and Ian,
their house demolished but still
something remains in the air.
And the ghost of Shipman
can be seen driving down Joel Lane
or visiting homes in Newton
where the smell of tobacco from
"Senior Service"’s old factory
no longer lingers.

Between the sunshine
rain falls sharply.
Overshadowed now by neighbours --
Ashton-under-Lyne, the capital of Tameside,
where sit the council in their chamber;
Stockport, whose postcode
keeps the town in Cheshire;
Manchester, now the “Greater” county --
and yet the market traders
greet their customers with
"How’s your lad today?" or
"Is your missus any better?"
and talk at the bus-stop
is never only about the weather.

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Gee Cross, 1st August 2003

Publication

2006 SPIRIT AND EMOTION (York, Fighting Cock Press)