An Ode to London

I walk around London with my eyes wide open, 

Seeing things once seemingly hidden 

behind the grey fog of indifference; 

missed opportunities freely given.

I hear different noises, different voices, 

a symphony of humanity 

that I’d drowned out with my headphones, 

the white noise of banality.

 

I see stately stone-clad buildings

adorned with gargoyles and fleur de lis,

juxtaposed with towers of glass and steel 

and the sirens of city police.

I smell hot tarmac on a summer breeze,

the scent of street food sold by vendors.

Hear the clack-clack of a jackhammer

used by men wearing ear defenders.

 

On a sunny day, the feel of rays

reflect off a mirrored window

hiding armies of keyboard warriors,

bathed in eerie monitor’s glow.

I taste the tension of work and play

conflicting for supremacy.

Cheap perfume and body spray cover

The scent of last night’s legacy.

 

I feel it deep, deep in my bones,

the vibrancy of this city.

It hums like current in my veins,

like living electricity.

Shockingly, it’s not all rosy;

some things really bug me

but I love this place, for all its flaws, 

the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

So I’ll look up and I’ll breath it in,

this city full of wonders.

Of waiters, singers, nurses, plumbers,

of pin-stripe clad hedge funders.

I’ll treat it with some due respect,

I’ll no longer take for granted,

The place that gave me all I’ve got,

And leaves me still enchanted.