Modern day progress

PROGRESS

I don’t go down the High Street now

there’s nothing for me there.

It’s full of shops that do your nails

or cut and colour hair.

I don’t go down the High Street now

and neither does me wife.

What used to be a thriving hub

is now devoid of life.

They’re building shops way out of town

there’s nowhere else to go.

The High Street I’m afraid to say

has hit an all-time low.

The High Street used to sing and dance,

at least it did to me.

But now it’s sadly out of step

and painfully off-key.

But way back in the heyday

when the High Street was the king,

oh you could spend all day down there

and buy just anything!

But now the king has lost his crown,

no longer does he reign.

He’s been dethroned by hyper stores

and supermarket chains.

Just like a vampire in the night,

they swooped down from the sky.

They forced the people out of town

and sucked the High Streets dry.

We used to have so many shops

for all that we might need.

For furniture for shoes and clothes

and cakes or books to read.

Butchers bakers fishmongers

sold fresh and wholesome stuff.

And though our families were not rich

we all ate well enough.

But now they’ve gone, it’s progress see

yes all have been replaced

by takeaways and coffee shops

with all their plastic waste!

With automatic checkout tills

appearing everywhere.

No conversation, pleasantries

or anecdotes to share.

I heard it said that money talks

at first, I had me doubts.

And I was right it does not talk,

that money bloody shouts!

It’s always been the same of course

it’s human nature see.

We have to travel with the times

that’s how it has to be.

And kids today they say I’m old

and I of course agree.

They say the future is for them

and not the likes of me.

My answer flutters on the breeze,

a flag that’s flown half-mast.

“I wouldn’t want your future kids...

I much prefer my past.”