THE EMPTY MALL

In the interests in broadening our horizons, this section is devoted to verse which falls outside the parameters of rhyme and metre, such as blank verse and free verse. Registered users are welcome to post their original works here.
Post Reply
Neville Briggs
Posts: 6946
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:08 pm
Location: Here

THE EMPTY MALL

Post by Neville Briggs » Sat Jun 18, 2016 3:57 pm

THE EMPTY MALL.

It is dim and dank and dirty.
Some weeds are edging through the concrete cracks.
The shop displays
are empty, and silence
doesn't try to invite the crowds of once, spenders
bargain hunters and lolly lickers
to throng back.
The shiny gold shop-door jambs cringe
into grey coated dulling brass.
Bright glass windows turned to greasy slate.
Where shoppers feet hurried
now cats and rats and gritty winds
scurry.
So much money spent to build
the catacombs of retail therapists.
Neville
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.

User avatar
thestoryteller
Posts: 625
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:02 pm
Location: Bargara, Queensland.
Contact:

Re: THE EMPTY MALL

Post by thestoryteller » Tue Jun 21, 2016 9:41 pm

Probably some poor pensioners superannuation investment gone down the gurgler.

Interesting read Nev.
Some days your the pidgeon and other days the statue.

User avatar
Maureen K Clifford
Posts: 8047
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
Contact:

Re: THE EMPTY MALL

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Wed Jul 27, 2016 8:45 pm

A sign of the times Neville - where more and more new buildings go up whilst existing shopping centres and apartment blocks are far from full. And why do developers keep doing that I wonder? In China there are whole towns with no occupants - their Govt I believe work on the principle that it is keeping people employed but it seems a totally unsustainable economy to me http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2 ... st-cities/
likewise in inner Mongolia where developers built the city of Ordos for one million people. But most of it remains empty.

A well crafted write Neville which gives food for thought.

I particularly liked this line
The shiny gold shop-door jambs cringe
into grey coated dulling brass.
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

User avatar
Shelley Hansen
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun May 04, 2014 5:39 pm
Location: Maryborough, Queensland
Contact:

Re: THE EMPTY MALL

Post by Shelley Hansen » Wed Jul 27, 2016 9:36 pm

I missed this one when you posted it Neville - my loss!

I particularly like the same lines that Maureen quoted - but it is all very evocative.

Sounds like you are describing the CBD of my town of Maryborough, Queensland. It is a sad, sorry and empty tomb. Last week Rod and I were involved (poetically) in the launch of a historical display of memorabilia from two of Maryborough's iconic department stores of the past - Stuparts Ltd and Boys Pty Ltd. They were thriving family businesses that sadly, are no more.

Times and people have changed.

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

Post Reply