Any fool can think of words that rhyme

[venta]

A quick lunchtime walk to the bank while it's open,
A breath of fresh air, get away from my desk.
Turn right off Holborn and south down to Fleet Street,
I'm taking my chances on Chancery Lane.

Scaffolding's blocked off the westerly pavement
And narrowed the other, and closed half the road.
Head-down commuters in suits squeeze past barriers,
They're taking their chances on Chancery Lane.

Taxis pull over, and more taxis pass them
While cycles and motorbikes slip through the gaps.
Under the building works, out with the traffic,
We're taking our chances on Chancery Lane.

Roped access men drink their tea wearing harnesses,
Hard hats and work boots in line with the rules.
Banksmen stand by wearing fluorescent orange.
They're taking no chances on Chancery Lane.

Electrical cables drip water down collars
In time with the clatter and shouts from above.
The crane arm swings over, the lorry reverses,
I'm taking my chances on Chancery Lane.

Comments

[sammason.livejournal.com]

Good rhyme! Brings the story to life.

If you're still working up this piece, perhaps you'll mention the absence of overtly disabled people. People like me don't even try to go to places like the Chancery Lane you describe. Instead we get called lazy benefit scroungers.

[venta.livejournal.com]

I'll have to think about it... I think you're right, that the road would be quite a no-go area for anyone with mobility issues at present. On the other hand, this wasn't really a piece I was working on, just some random thoughts from yesterday lunchtime. And that isn't something I thought/noticed at the time.

The area I work in is very busy, prone to gridlock, and (since it's non-residential) only usually reached via packed tubes. It's relatively rare to see wheelchairs, etc, in the area at all. Maybe that's a thought for a whole different poem.

[sammason.livejournal.com]

If you write that poem I'll want to read it. So will friendly_crips I think. There's a lot to say about our exclusion - stop being disabled! It's not convenient for the real people! And stop being black! Stop being female!