Beyond Empire’s Docklands
When Britain led the world in child abuse
In factories and in prostitution streets,
Two poets, lovers weaned from their chartreuse
Addiction, had to settle for small treats
Like beer. The two were starving, nearly, in
The filthilopolis beneath the cast
Iron bridges and among the loudmouthed, gin
Besotted Brits. The place itself was vast
But people were emaciated, small,
And skinny –and especially the poor.
The city showed its splendour in its sprawl
So distant from le café raconteur.
Their darkened lines and loves were small and large,
Laid down for our tomorrow—their depth charge.