High Street Poetry

A colleague of mine was so upset about a poem written about their high street that they were moved to respond. Below are both 'poems'. I keep any authors anonymous.

I applaud my colleague's stance of supporting our high streets rather than giving up. There seems to be too much throwing in the towel and letting adverse events just roll over us without the impetus to act against forces that feel insurmountable.

Poem 1

'PROGRESS':? By Unknown

?

I don’t go down the High Street now

there’s nothing for me there.

It’s full of shops that do your nails

or cut and colour hair.

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I don’t go down the High Street now

and neither does me wife.

What used to be a thriving hub

is now devoid of life.

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They’re building shops way out of town

there’s nowhere else to go.

The High Street I’m afraid to say

has hit an all-time low.

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The High Street used to sing and dance,

at least it did for me.

But now it’s sadly out of step

and painfully off-key.

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But way back in the heyday

when the High Street was the king,

oh, you could spend all day down there

and buy just anything!

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But now the king has lost his crown,

no longer does he reign.

He’s been dethroned by hyper stores

and supermarket chains.

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Just like a vampire in the night,

they swooped down from the sky.

They forced the people out of town

and sucked the High Streets dry.

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We used to have so many shops

for all that we might need.

For furniture, for shoes and clothes

and cakes or books to read.

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Butchers, bakers, fishmongers

sold fresh and wholesome stuff.

And though our families were not rich

we all ate well enough.

?

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But now they’ve gone, it’s progress see

yes all have been replaced

by takeaways and coffee shops

with all their plastic waste!

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With automatic checkout tills

appearing everywhere.

No conversation, pleasantries

or anecdotes to share.

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I heard it said that money talks

at first, I had me doubts.

And I was right it does not talk,

that money b****y shouts!

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It’s always been the same of course

it’s human nature see.

We have to travel with the times

that’s how it has to be.

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And kids today they say I’m old

and I of course agree.

They say the future is for them

and not the likes of me.

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My answer flutters on the breeze,

a flag that’s flown half-mast.

“I wouldn’t want your future kids...

I much prefer my past.”

Poem 2:

UNTITLED:? By Anonymous in response to Poem 1

I saw a sad, depressing poem

All about our high streets

Residents with broken hearts,

Admitting a defeat

You don’t go down the high street

You say it has no life

You mourn a past that won’t return

As cutting as a knife

Surely after everything

We’ve seen the past few years

Your local shops deserve support,

Rather than your tears

I’m not the only one in town

That’s horrified to learn

A community we’re here to serve

Just sees a hopeless yearn

Yes, the high street’s changing

Things are different - so are you

But that doesn’t mean it's over

In fact there’s always something new

While doom-mongers are busy

Talking the high street down

Small and bigger businesses

Graft hard across the town

They’ve had it tough for lots of reasons

Many forced to close

Both behind the scenes or publicly

There have been many woes

The Internet has played a part

Of that we’re all aware

Trading from back bedrooms

Now how can that be fair?

It’s not a level playing field

And it really ought to be

Until it is, your high streets will

Depend on you and me

We make our choices every day

We shouldn’t sit and whine

Protect your town and show some love

There’s more than just ‘online’

The poem we saw mocked ‘progress’

And it got some likes and shares

But what your high street really needs

Is a community that cares

Our high street isn’t perfect

But it's got more than you know

Strong businesses and traders

Who had hit an all time low

But after the pandemic

There are new ideas galore

We challenge you to take a trip

Just get out and explore

So please come down the high street

We’re still a friendly bunch

There’s so much there on offer,

Plus nails and hair and lunch!