Pound shops and takeaways,

salons for grooming of

dogs and their owners

sit side by side.

 

Rancid fat acrid

in back alley junk piles,

settees and Christmas trees

slowly decay.

 

Damp homes

in damp climate

for cotton mill workers

no longer needed.

 

The forest of chimneys

now superseded

by new build in miniature,

room sizes shrinking,

 

like chocolates and crisps,

the packets get smaller

while the prices go

through the roof.

©️Janey Colbourne 2017