North Shields

North Shields 

where no three kings were ever laid to rest 

bound forever in the shadow of the black middens 

an epiglottis for the mouth of the Tyne

functional - essential - pragmatic  

not really the showy type

but life would be so different without it

shy bairns get nowt they say

of a first sea born child of a

hard born industrial alter ego

a place where ships came alive

and men in early morning gloom 

chased the silver darling 

across the dogger bank

Only for themselves to be sacrificed 

on the monetary altar

of eighties neoliberalism 

a post industrial confidence trick

with a white flag of surrender 

held up to the charity shop 

and bargain basement store

altogether like the folks of shields

Is it North or South?

Whatever!  

stand up be counted 

for the spirit of the Tyne

should never fade 

be tall as a whalebone jaw

without our pride

without our sense of belonging

without our people 

what reason is there 

for anything.