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.
Another Poem by Skedong: Do You Love Riff Raff? Ancoats To New Islington, Manchester