Evaporating Memories

A Memory of Wallsend.

Wallsend is sliding down the slipway,
to use a shipyard metaphore.
Now just widswept open spaces,
stand where the workman stood before.

They've allowed all of the trades to die,
and made the workforce unemployed.
Now just evaporating memories,
of working lives we once enjoyed.

This river's steadfast reputation,
was throughout the world renowned.
You could have searched the whole world over,
no finer workforce could be found.

Expert tradesman in abundance,
Worked side by side in harmony.
Creating some of the finest ships,
that were ever put to sea.

Etched into Geordie peoples psyche,
were huge red, blue and yellow cranes.
And as great ships slid down the slipway,
they'd drag enormous rusty chains.

Each generation of us Geordies,
would stand and marvel on such days.
As the Champagne broke, grown men would choke,
Others slack jawed and amazed.

Now those cranes have gone to India,
as the jobs have done I fear.
If you ring your local bank now,
it's a foreign voice you'll hear!

The say we may just get some windmills,
down at this South Northumberland place.
That things have now came down to this,
Is nothing short of a disgrace!

All we have are dying embers,
no flames now flicker here today.
But that's not for the want of trying,
we have the will, just not the way!!

James Bridgewood.
10-8-13

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