In years unpolluted by malignant thought

Beautiful buildings were created for us all

Cinema’s are a good example

When each pleasure place was better than the last

And then the small people took over

Cinema’s were repurposed or destroyed altogether

In my hometown of Uxbridge

We had a lavish Odeon cinema

Built between the wars

When inside you were transported

Into another world of lyrical shapes and subtle colours

It was an experience in itself

Forty years ago this cinema was totally destroyed

Weak and greedy councils manned by corrupted ants

Along with the disgusting developers were to blame

I have never forgiven them for this vandalism

Jill and I often travel around this decaying country of ours

And see this repeated time and time again

In all of our failing cities and towns



From The Shame of England by Charles Crithome Stuart