Gorbals

The stench of urban decay winds thick 
and rank through squalid, narrow
streets christened with booze and urine,
permeating decades of neglect.

A drunken derelict slurs enthusiastic 
amens in hopeful penance at a rabid 
street-corner prophet spitting frothy 
travesties of religious dogma and warning 
of the divine wrath of a burlesque god.  

A conspicuous tourist clutches her handbag 
nervously as she skirts the entrance of a graffitied
alleyway and pretends to ignore the wolf-whistles
of a nearby band of loitering malcontents.

Her pace quickens at the sound of footsteps
and raucous laughter closing in behind her
while desperately seeking safety and the 
illusive walking bridge leading to the protective
haven of St. George's bustling square.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



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Date: 4/15/2013 6:05:00 PM
thvia, your poem Banter in the Bedroom would sure be a cool entry in my current Faves contest. I am tracking down poets who did not get into my first fave contest. If you act fast, maybe you could get that faved poem into my contest. Luv, Andrea
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Date: 1/4/2012 12:56:00 PM
Congratulations on making it through the 1st round of PoetrySoup International Contest X 2. Wishing you the best in the finals Thvia. Love, Carol
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Date: 8/2/2011 4:09:00 PM
It's got to be Glasgow Thvia. I was there in July with Lorena. She has fallen in love with Glasgow and Scotland. I so love St. Georges Square. This is a captivating piece, I love it :)
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Shetley Avatar
Thvia Shetley
Date: 8/2/2011 4:18:00 PM
It is indeed Glasgow!
Date: 5/1/2011 3:07:00 PM
Very interesting and imaginative write. This could be the opening scene from some Film Noir!
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Date: 3/26/2011 10:34:00 PM
Thvia. I have not seen you in forever,but here you are with three poems still in the finals. Way to go! Best of luck.
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Date: 1/2/2011 3:41:00 PM
Congrats Thvia on your featured poem this week on the Soup.. a wonderful one to share with us all today with luv my friend.. wishing u a very Happy New Year..with luv..
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Date: 9/12/2010 6:32:00 PM
Your apprehension and fear are shared by many, Thvia. There are places in NJ and Florida where I felt unsafe walking alone. Phyllis is right about the construction sites. The howls from men working there make women nervous. Guess this happens everywhere. A universal fear for many women and so well conveyed in your poem. Love, Carolyn
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Date: 9/12/2010 9:49:00 AM
This does happen all to often. I know that you quicken your footsteps and quickly try to find a safe place. This happened when I younger so I can relate to this. At construction sites as you walked by you would get wolf whistles. Now these memories make me chuckle. God Bless Phyl
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Date: 9/12/2010 9:33:00 AM
Has the touch of reality with visualisation.Enjoyed it.
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Date: 9/12/2010 7:41:00 AM
You sure painted a good picture here of an apprehensive tourist--I could practically see those leery eyes following me-- another poem of yours that I enjoyed! :) --nikko :)
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Date: 9/12/2010 7:21:00 AM
sounds like a rough life! All I have to run from is rabid foxes and imaginary boogers.
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Date: 9/11/2010 5:55:00 PM
Today was my day of worship, into night now, I come to your work ... to your imagery of urban decay, fear and sorrow intermingling, and mesmerized, cannot flee the spell of your poetic competence, my friend. Your writing challenges me to pursue excellence. Love it!
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Date: 9/11/2010 5:06:00 PM
Oh my. Yours held me spell bound also. Thanks for reading my story. You were fast, I had barely gotten it posted. Love, Joyce
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Date: 9/10/2010 11:50:00 AM
What a beautiful day to sit and read poetry here at PoetrySoup. Please keep writing and sharing your poems with us. What a diverse group of poets we have here I am so happy you are one of us Thvia. Have a wonderful weekend filled with inspiration. Love, Carol
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Date: 9/9/2010 2:18:00 PM
Interesting write Thvia... great depiction of a tourist traveling and being on guard as well as enjoying the sights .... great words used...enjoyed my friend. ...with luv..
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Date: 9/9/2010 1:57:00 PM
Very tense, enjoyed the poem,..p.d.
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Date: 9/9/2010 1:40:00 PM
I could feel your stress and see the city..very well written..Take care~Deb
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