Author AB Wyze. (I think)
PROGRESS:
I don’t go down the High Street now
there’s nothing for me there.
It’s full of shops that do your nails
or cut and colour hair.
I don’t go down the High Street now
and neither does me wife.
What used to be a thriving hub
is now devoid of life.
They’re building shops way out of town
there’s nowhere else to go.
The High Street I’m afraid to say
has hit an all-time low.
The High Street used to sing and dance,
at least it did to me.
But now it’s sadly out of step
and painfully off key.
But way back in the hey day
when the High Street was the king,
oh you could spend all day down there
and buy just anything!
But now the king has lost his crown,
no longer does he reign.
He’s been dethroned by hyper stores
and supermarket chains.
Just like a vampire in the night
they swooped down from the sky.
They forced the people out of town
and sucked the High Streets dry.
We used to have so many shops
for all that we might need.
For furniture for shoes and clothes
and cakes or books to read.
Butchers bakers fishmongers
sold fresh and wholesome stuff.
And though our families were not rich
we all ate well enough.
But now they’ve gone, it’s progress see
yes all have been replaced
by take-aways and coffee shops
with all their plastic waste!
With automatic checkout tills
appearing everywhere.
No conversation, pleasantries
or anecdotes to share.
I heard it said that money talks
at first I had me doubts.
And I was right it does not talk,
that money bloody shouts!
It’s always been the same of course
it’s human nature see.
We have to travel with the times
that’s how it has to be.
And kids today they say I’m old
and I of course agree.
They say the future is for them
and not the likes of me.
My answer flutters on the breeze,
a flag that’s flown half mast.
“I wouldn’t want your future kids...
I much prefer my past.”