London

It’s so quiet out here
in the small hours,
just the song of robins, the larks
and the sound of my feet on the wet
pavement for company,
it’s so very English.

I love this city,
for all its problems
and all its iniquities
London is my home,
maybe if I had ever lived anywhere else
I wouldn’t think of it in that way
but I haven’t, so I do.

I think of this big, generous city
like a big, generous person,
busy, complex. changing,
one who makes room for
everyone and everything;
every race, every creed,
every torment and every joy
and then sleeps peacefully
with the gods at night.

DF. 2-2-2021 1452