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The Corner Shop

They closed the corner store some time ago
the ciggies by the two we now forgo
our lucky bags now a recollection
as is browsing in the comic section.
Mechanics' Social Club no longer stands
their topless barmaids, striving local bands
and Sunday morns' all-comers talent show
both pubs have closed, there's nowhere left to go.
They closed the corner store some time ago
finally called the time and stopped the show
The cafe, bank the chemist shop, all gone
the street is quiet, not much going on.
We'll have a Tesco store sometime, they say
we know they're sure to place it far away
you'll need an Uber car, too far to walk
We'll miss the bench where you could stop and talk.
They closed the corner store some time ago
Nail salons and vape stores, now come and go
barbers, bookies empty charity shops
you see the homeless sleep, you see no cops
once walking up and down the street in pairs
graffiti daubs, the windows smashed, who cares?
An out-of-towner builds an HMO
inside the corner store we used to know.

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Terry Flood Date: 8/11/2025 3:14:00 PM People often say that the old days only ‘seemed’ better. One bonus of getting on a bit is we can smugly shrug and say, “If you say so.” Enjoyed your forlorn ramble through ‘today’, Terry. Terry Login to Reply Terry Flood Date: 8/12/2025 2:39:00 AM Oops! I used the word ‘ramble’ in it’s ‘Taking a stroll’ sense, rather than ‘wandering aimlessly’ ;-) Terry Miller Date: 8/12/2025 2:36:00 AM Thank you Terry, it was a bit of a ramble now I look at it in the cold light of day, thank you for reading and your kind comments

Paula Goldsmith Date: 8/11/2025 1:48:00 PM What a powerful write/story you have about days of old. The years have changed many things and not all for the good. So Sad... Have A Blessed Day Writing Away................. Login to Reply Terry Miller Date: 8/12/2025 2:36:00 AM Thank you Paula

CayCay Jennings Date: 8/11/2025 11:55:00 AM Oh, gosh, this is a melancholy feel for all generations, like death no one's left out. Must hit people slowly, then 'bang' if they grew up in 1 place. Growing up, we moved all the time, so city changes didn't hit me until older when I'd visit places I'd lived. On one such visit, I said, "Man, the corner store's gone." As a teen (14/15), that was my store. This is well written, I felt it, emotions from changing times. I miss turning TV off vs it asking me if I'm still watching! Man, AI changes! Login to Reply CayCay Jennings Date: 8/12/2025 4:02:00 PM Me, too, and my brother. Terry Miller Date: 8/12/2025 2:40:00 AM I moved around a lot too, my dad was in the military, then I was, divorced met a US gal moved over there for 20 years then Spain we are back in the UK after 24 years, near to my home town the changes really hit me. Yes, when I was very young I WAS the remote for the TV ;-). Thank you for reading and your kind comments.