Council Estate Life

Post modern empathy with evolving communities based on respect, mutual regard and a sense of self worth amid changing times. Harmony from within, wherever you come from, results in great environments.

Council Estate Life

 

Head bowed but spirits raised

The usual sights and sounds of pain

Everyday man; their life’s refrain

A British life of hope and rain

 

We say ‘hello’, we know the score

The scratch of back through communal doors

The young, the old, the black, the white

Living together, doing what’s right

 

Off the backs of bicycles

Do your dash for that bus!

Wandsworth Road train timetables

It’s a mad, brave rush!

 

Prams are pushed in loving safety

Frames, they hold up frail bones

Cleaners, concierge; how they natter

What we don’t do is to throw stones

 

Cos there’s safety in numbers

Cos we all know the score

We respect one and the other

Rich in spirit; rich not poor

 

 

Richard Stevens         Sat 23-may 2015 @ 9am

Author's Note

A play, 'Where Are We Going To Live Now?' was performed at the Southwark Playhouse last year centred around 'Gentrification' and community upheaval. I was interviewed re this issue and had my words used by a character in the play (Director, Lucy Curtis). Communities matter to me and it was enlightening to know why. This poem salutes this...