National Poetry Day 2016

National Poetry Day is over Over two hours on the stage. That's one hellova long time For one of my advancing age. This is the Poetry city. The talent just abounds, Mixing in the bars and pubs With open mic music sounds. They spruced up the Centre Just for this event (I sometimes worry at the wisdom Of where the money went) When they've replaced the paving The barriers are all gone When the renovation crews Have finished and moved on Bring in your Year of Culture, Next year, 2017 Catering for the minority Ignoring thriving local scene. But when the Culture Vultures Have departed as if they'd never been In the pubs and clubs and bars We'll still have our living culture scene. With the streets are all repaired and We're again northern backwater place I'll be in the pub A smile still on my face. And I'll listen to the music, Hear the spoken word, Much of it as good or better Than any City of Culture heard, And I'll see the performance list Every available spot full, And think look what you've missed In this Poetry City of Hull. This is my city Chugging quietly away: A City of northern Culture Every single vibrant day