Brighton's West Pier

                                                                 Brighton's West Pier  

                                                                                By M.J. London

Skeletal Skeleton of steel a rusted frame 

Which of many years ago you were not the same 

Then thousands of bright coloured bulbs in dark that gaily shone 

And now of these there are but none, not even one

Weather pounded sea licked and wave kicked you stood 

Wooden slatted boards between which rushing surf was watched 

Laughter, fun, slapping bare children’s feet did swiftly run 

For merriment hands held and palms read we would come

Or to dance the waltz on polished floor 

Casting rod and line into Neptune’s door his deep for us to explore 

Bumper cars crunch and crash voices squeal in delight 

The fizz and smell of electric arching left and right

Slot machines with coins rattle and gush 

Then put them all back in, none to take home, no fuss

Candy floss and toffee apple to bite the tooth 

Laughing sailor in his crazy scary booth 

Ice-cream cornets drip in the sun 

Wind to blow you inside out everyone 

Rain lashed huddled under cover not in deckchair

Her blond hair streaked stuck to her face without a care

Lovers never felt the weather, those cold lips 

Would soon warm with passion or hot chips 

But then two fateful nights put paid to such delights 

Fire raged fire licked fire kicked fire leapt and ran along wooden boards

Blaze took hold burnished the sea in gold 

A thousand gallons and more of sea 

Could not douse that fire once set free

None of that water 

Could stop the slaughter 

Leaving bones of steel to rust and moan 

No more starlings to flock and feather rustle in their zone

The air with its oxygen to do its worst

Sea salt with rust the girders did slowly burst 

Grey leaden sky above crushes down

On the skeleton pier of Brighton Sound

Lapping sea 

Say’s “Come to me.”

As in deed we all shall succumb 

Be you humane, mineral or animal dumb 

Rust or dust its all the same

Until then live your life fully and be not tame