My Favourite Walk into the City
Skirting the westward end,
Along the borderline of the twin cities,
Under train tracks that dive to the heart of one
And to the head of the other.
Across the bridge in the shadow of Hatshepsut’s monolith,
While silverbellied planes sail over and beneath, carry on
Between glass buildings in a progression
Through law courts, bookmakers, old houses of theology,
To the Chinese chef smoking in the alley,
His sad hat leaning to one side.
The rock-star and his girlfriend are in the graveyard
Beneath the old cathedral.
Now, I sit in the street with a pint of Brooklyn,
And let it all exist.
The day weaves its arcs across the city
And I miss so much of what goes on.
*John Burns is a freelance journalist who left sunny Nottingham to study English Literature in Manchester. Most of John's time away from writing professionally is spent writing poetry and short fiction.