The Zing Clip Hotel is situated in the Docklands
Having been built in the 1984 as part of an initiative
To improve the dereliction in this neglected area
It did not really work as the area was still quite fragmented
Gangs of Punks roamed around in their shabby boiler suits
It was like something out of a Derek Jarman movie
Although they were quiet and kept themselves to themselves
Earlier I took a walk on a broken jetty which once acted
As a path for the disembarking crews of various ships
There was a girl of tender years working on a watercolour
Near to the rusting fork at the very end of the jetty
Here name was Grace as that was printed on her tee shirt
Amazing Grace My Name is Grace was all that was written
She smiled at me and wished me the time of day as I admired her work
I used to be an art lecturer in another life but now sell luxury batteries
To countries that cannot afford them or really require them
Such are the complexities of art and the noise of poverty
I purchased the watercolour against my better judgement
It was crude but did show an understanding of colour and line
The girl told me that this had been her first sale since November
I gave her the address of Mike Valley at the St Martens School
And said that he might be able to help her as she had the eye
I also gave her an extra fiver for a decent meal which pleased her
Had this city really descended to this I thought as I walked away
That an Average Joe such as myself could make a small difference
I asked April on the desk to keep an eye on the girl and feed her if required
But never to mention me so that the girl might think
That her life was actually taking a more gentle path
All expenses were to be charged to the company account with the hotel
Which presented no problem as my family owned the company
I flew to Germany soon after and hoped that the girl would follow up
The art school introduction that I had given her or at least eat square meals
What are we here for if it is not to help each other
That is quite simple