ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The Ugly City Street

The City in the daytime paints a picture book like scene
and who could then imagine that this place could turn so mean.
As shadows slowly lengthen and the daylight fades away,
the City is transformed into a madhouse every day.
With darkness just remember to be careful who you meet,
there’s danger after nightfall on the Ugly City Street.

The night spots come alive once more, and Clubs are in full voice
and bright lights seem inviting, tempting you to make a choice.
Be wary though I warn you; death may visit you tonight,
with drunken cowards skulking in the shadows out of sight.
They’ll punch you without warning here - or anyone they meet,
it happens every night now on the Ugly City Street.

Awash with booze and drugs it seems no answer can be found
and little can be done to turn this craziness around.
Then as the night wears on, and on, the fighting’s more intense
and cops are facing idiots, who lack all common sense.
For brawling men and women is the sight they often meet;
their language so appalling on the Ugly City Street.

A knock upon a door awakens people from their sleep,
an officer awaits them with sad news that cannot keep.
A loved one is in hospital and little hope is held,
his life is in the balance from a coward’s punch that felled.
I think then of the families this Man In Blue must meet
They’re also now the victims of the ugly city street.




© T.E. Piggott

a square up it the pub used to be the norm and both would have a drink afterwards Terry.

I cannot understand why they have to load up at home and go out at ten or eleven and come home in the early hours of the morning,


Bob

Good write Terry - such a shame that sadly it is true. Like Bob I also don't get the drinking habits, or maybe I do when drinks at clubs are so expensive but I don't get the necessity for clubs to stay open so late especially taking on board the $'s wasted on our police trying to sort out the after effects.

It's scarey Terry. Great poem as usual. Anything happening with 'Nellie'?
Wazza

You've found a new canvas Terry. Good to see you writing again.

Heather

Hi Bob & Maureen

Seems a sort of madness has beset us - I find it very sad.

Hi Wazza

Thanks mate
No I haven't heard anything - looks like it's fizzled out.

G/day Heather

It doesn't really matter where you are does it?
There's always something topical, if not so pleasant to write about.

No wonder I write so much about bush.

Cheers Terry

Very descriptive but disturbing picture Terry!

It's not only at night or in the big cities. Here in what is still only a medium sized regional city, our neighbour's lad and his girlfriend were both walking to work down a designated walk path/bike track in a suburban area at about 3 pm. Two louts began taunting them from across the street. They ignored the abuse and continued walking. The louts approached from behind and king-hit the young man, knocking him unconscious. These two thugs had a girl with them who egged them on to "bust his head in". It was only the quick intervention of a nearby resident who saw the episode unfold from his window that saved this young man's life. A vicious totally unprovoked attack in broad daylight.

Scary stuff. I used to use that same path for my afternoon walk. I no longer use it.

Cheers, Shelley

It's the same over here Shelley, even in remote communities the drug and booze situation is out of hand.
This is just a part of the poem, although if covers the main part of it.

Terry

G/day Matt
There wasn't as much concrete around in the country where I grew up.
But I agree there wasn't the viciousness those days either.
Sure we got a bit sozzled at times and of course in my day there wasn't the drugs either.
We also didn't have anywhere near as much money to waste then,
nor did we have drunken screaming women baying for blood either - I live in the past don't I, you need to be able to escape for awhile sometimes, I reckon.

I have added a final stanza to show the possible after affects of this stupidity.

Cheers Mate

Terry

Excellent final stanza Terry - it really clinches it.

You said this was part of a longer poem. Have you entered it in competition? The way judges are favouring bush poetry on topical social issues, it's likely to score well.

Cheers, Shelley