London in the 30's

This poem is about the time after the stock market crash - the Great Depression - in 1929 in New York whose extensions flowed till Britain. Poverty and redundancy affected the daily picture and the fear that a new World War might start again.

Dedicated to Judith Lennox's "The Winter House" .

Sometimes I long to see
Something new and bright
When I look out of the window
Through the rain and the fog
To the people walking on the streets
Gloomy and sad
This atmosphere
In London’s streets

Fear and depression
Reflected in the eyes
Hasty people going by
Deep inside that blankness
Helpless straying through the fog
London lost in helplessness and shock

Dark clouds veiled by the rain
My glace fancies to push them away
Let this city shine again
In glory and joy
Young couples strolling on Oxford Street
Canny cafés, laughter and happiness
This surreal spirit of despair
Keeps London under such a grey cloth

Tempted to run away
From this scenery so hopeless
Away from all this dirt and poverty
London half faded away
Can’t see this anymore
Crash , boom, bang

Have you ever seen these little drab cots
Lousy left in the outskirts
For the worker’s family
To sleep in wetly cold rooms
With rats and bugs
Laying on the cold stone bottom
9 persons in one room
Left without any work
To pay their high doctor’s bill

Will we ever get out again
Of this time
Like fog and rain
Letting this city seem dreadful
Depression and fear
Will it fade away
Like that rush came ?

*Please, vote and tell me what you think.
Thank you very much.

Sabine