Portrait of a Northern City by David Birtwistlem - Lancashire Poetry
PUBLISHED: 14:02 20 January 2010 | UPDATED: 11:42 28 February 2013
A poem by David Birtwistle
Th colours are Paynes Grey and Indigo
Splashed and daubed in a web of jagged fragments.
Coal black ribbons weave an intricate lattice
Knotted with Ultra Marine veins
Brushed over with Hookers Green blobs where parks
And squares stake their claim.
Drunken Crimson gables stagger to the river,
Hang over and puke on the rising morning mist,
Whilst vague stick images flit in and out
Of slanty shadows to cavort indecently
Under Ochre blotches of lanterned light
And naked neon limbs to disappear into
Dawns tulle shades and grubby morning pavements.
Shining Pewter Grey and drizzle bright.
Scoot mangy cat! Scurry off home.
Time to shake up the cardboard duvet.
Throw out the bottles.
The Citys awake.
David Birtwistle