In the town

In the town
streets shiny with rain
I walk across the bridge

no accordian player today
no guitars , violins
there's nothing extra
for playing whilst wet

cobbled streets
slippery,wet
waiting to turn someones ankle
as they are distracted by
the man
selling
"The Big Issue"

I wonder if he knows
what the big issue
really is

smells waft out
and tempt  me
burgers , hot dogs , coffee
others assault me
cigarette smoke , cheap perfume and body odour

I walk on
evading spiky umbrellas
held as if in a military
manoeuvre

people
short , tall , fat , thin

an urban culture
a melting pot

we stir our own
small space
and walk on

along shiny streets
in the town