While the Salvation Army Band Played On

It could have been the 1870s
You’d be forgiven
For thinking it was a different time,
Hymns and carols playing
While the poor folk wait in line

While we rush around Christmas shopping
Wrapped up in our 
'Not a minute to spare' lives,
Those who have little or nothing
Cower in doorways out of sight

No feeling of Christmas spirit
No festive cheer for them
From the resplendent brass band,
No, just the shame of begging
In every corner of the land

But this is the 21st century
The unfortunate and dejected
Reflect on what could have been,
No need to go back to the workhouses
No need for a time machine

These are modern day Victorian times
Sat outside Poundland
‘Last Christmas’ plays on a loop,
And while the Salvation Army Band played on
The homeless shelter served up the soup

Jeff Dawson December 2017