By Pauline Sewards
The city has one more uneasy sleep to go
some businesses have capitulated, planning closure
others quietly assert their right to open as they should.
The city sleeps uneasily
prepares to match fists with bells
dreams in slogans, rhythms of marching and dancing.
Give me the piano in the station
pink light over roof terraces
the frivolous edge, and
the easy downhill trek to the sea
not this fear
of closed faces
speech bubbling venom
breaking glass
mockery
false parallels
false promises.
Come out and be visible shining children of the city
your logic of love may slide over closed minds
but be there in all your number.
The wings of the Peace statue
pebbles on pebbles
shops filled with vinyl
roadside planters of rosemary and sage
bus drivers wearing rainbow lanyards
toilets for all
tribute flowers outside London Rd Coop
in honour of Fletch.
All of this
in the fretful dream of the city
Bring on the haters
we are ready with joyous unwelcoming
Small bees become strong
in the swarm of resistance.
