Ancoats
Living in a gentrified slice of the city,
a stone’s throw from the Etihad –
Manchester City,
where men earn £400k a week
for kicking ball –
while at Urban Village Medical Practice,
addicts queue for methadone.
Resident doctors striking now,
demanding £50k a year,
while down the way at Co-op Live,
Drake will be performing here.
I checked the ticket prices,
shook my baffled head.
I’ll stroll to Ancoats Marina,
grab a Polish beer instead.
£7 a pint that drink will knock me back.
Chat with the new neighbors,
smile hello to little dogs.
But I decide on Asda Eastlands –
beer is £7 a crate.
I’ve got cigarettes, I’ve got Cali,
economically there’s no debate.
Sat back at my desk and wondering
who’s on the stage tonight.
Billie Eilish is playing,
Hit Me Hard and Soft.
I watch a thousand fans
trail home by candlelight.
Ashton New Road falls empty,
quiet after midnight.
The east rewrites itself at night.
This pen is scratching out the price.
