THE M 24

by ray pool

Friday 11th March 2022 5:52 pm

The M 24, what is it for

what purpose does it serve?

unrecognized on any map

unsanctioned by authority

it simply does not exist

only in the vacuum packed imaginary landscape

where it streches unmentionable

like halitosis or straight sex in Bankkok

the M 24 is in the dock.

Expunged from any tales of distance

of the laying of concrete and lonely persistence

understated, prematurely aborted

unquestionably unsupported.

But if by any curious chance

you were to find yourself upon it

seek the first exit, don't look back

forget the forbidden, accept that it's hidden

like 666 the mark of the beast

that it goes not north south west nor east.

Comments

raypool

Thu 17th Mar 2022 23:25

I know how you feel John, thanks! I had a friend who fell asleep on the M3 on the way to Bournemouth and drifted off onto a slip road, suddenly woke up and didn't know where he was. We've all been there.

John Botterill

Thu 17th Mar 2022 12:44

I have spent my entire life on this metaphorical M24 😊 Fine poem Ray!

raypool

Wed 16th Mar 2022 23:06

Thanks for the observation Mark. I would agree that the burgeoning of the motorway network was a commercially inspired decision with the colossal run down of the railway system. With the benefit of hindsight..... !

That's interesting Stephen, I had no idea. Sounds rather different from the German autobahn case.

Ray

Stephen Gospage

Wed 16th Mar 2022 17:30

Some years ago, my adopted home of Belgium was well known for building roads which finished abruptly in the middle of nowhere, when the budget ran out or the road crossed into another region which was not willing to pay for it. Literally, roads to nowhere.

M.C. Newberry

Wed 16th Mar 2022 15:43

These roads to hell are invariably paved with political intentions!

raypool

Wed 16th Mar 2022 11:13

Thanks for reading and liking Russell, Holden and Stephen !

Thanks Greg much appreciated. Bonkers of course but my speciality to chime with much of the world we live in. I read today that some years back there was a proposed route to be known as the M31 which was partially built as the A329M to link the M3 and M4 as that does now, Where will it all end?

Stephen, I remember that spur. That reminds me of a toll road from the M6 to avoid a long detour near the M42. I'm utterly confused now.

Ray

Stephen Gospage

Sat 12th Mar 2022 16:31

Yes, good one, Ray. In the 1980s, I stumbled across the first opened section of the M25 near Potters' Bar. I did not know it was accessible and apparently neither did anyone else, as I didn't see another car on the 5-mile stretch. A strange feeling of getting away with a terrible crime.

Greg Freeman

Fri 11th Mar 2022 18:25

One of your absolute finest, Ray. Enjoyed hearing you read it at Write Out Loud Woking on Zoom the other night.

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THE M 24

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