Published 'Purple Patch' 1992
WHY
The River was found behind the tall residential towers.
Came as a surprise as I walked upon the zigzag tiles of Deptford Wharf. I suspect the River had always flowed along there and it was the Wharf that was the modern intruder.
I could see the pyramid-topped tower across the water, with flashing lights warning off stray aeroplanes from its outlandish height. I fell upon a bench of neatly gashed black iron, from where such ingredients of the Docklands complex opposite were not exactly eyesores. More like heartaches.
Why. That was the teaser. Having had a bitter row with my daughter the previous evening about her boy friend and having said a lot of cruel words I didn't mean, because I do love her - in view of that, I forgave those responsible for the eye-line upon the opposite bank. They probably didn't mean it, either.
And that's that I suppose. Life in a broken nutshell.
