SMOG WARNING
In many a big city if by water it does lie,
Smog warnings are common, floating by
Like a misty monster it comes unaware,
Polluting our sweet life giving fresh air.
Yet there seems an ethereal kind of beauty
As you look at the familiar but only see
Different shades of grey hanging everywhere,
Instead of firm structures and gardens fair.
The lake is a mass of moving grey beckoning
Darker shades like true friends silently guarding,
Figures disappear as if in some gentle dream
And nothing appears real, things not as they seem.
But thinking back to childhood, in the black country
In part of England where many days you couldn’t see
Your hand in front of your face, and often hard to seek
Home, need to wash lace curtains nearly every week.
To breath was so hard especially of many a Thursday
When the potters stoked for firing on a wet Wednesday,
We managed to live and now smile when folks say foggy,
When you can see nine cars ahead that’s not even smoggy.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson 27 August 2004