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Image: Joe Murray
I sat by the River, too happy to do much
at all
blue glitter, blue bass sound and I learnt
how my tears can trace
his cheeks.
But, Still! Bristol
stole my heart like no guy ever will
it has this
progressive
pedagogical
power. Community Cohesion, a rising flower!
You can hear in St. Nicholas' Market
a burst of enthusiasm
from independent local artists, "Not too shabby"
the wine seller laughs to
his mate, laughter can spill like vin sol bottles into the hilly streets
authentic
guitarists, plucking up projects for youth and flammable creativity
a radicalised life within a city
like Bugsy said, It's a Bris' Ting!
Everyday! Are you listening?
homeless
buskers. Homelessness is so rife. A poor man asked
me for coffee one damp morning,
his
sharp, squinting eyes too cold to cry. Eyes sadder than a Norah Jones' album, yet livelier than life. Sometimes
I look at a situation in the street,
and stand still for time.
Buskers
whose lungs
are filled with loved reggae, reggae that defines souls,
hip hop culture that holds
you
down
and jungle
that sets a light on the coming spring, sea-bound with
music notes, they throw out everything. No time for a rebound when
you're in love with a place, and you know
where the lanes lead. Montpellier lanes, fresh paint,
zines, poets, skateboards that hit the streets with
a sting
bristolians never let
that Tesco get built in Stokes Croft! Respect exists.
It is an oasis. Bristol stole
my heart like no guy ever will,
I'd rather love a city at the mo.
Is Bristol a sorry oasis?
Bristol stole my heart like a multi talented thief, you kno'
I'll meet you at the Bears Pit, and we'll shout Hurray at the sky
One day I sat by the river, doing nothing for time
My big sister found me eventually
She says " Hey lu, you alright?"
Tomorrow I might be too happy
to do much, too!
and I'll sit by the river. Bristol stealing my heart like
no guy ever will.
We asked young writers to respond to a set of photographs by Joe Murray. For another response to this photo, 'Across' by Sophie Dickinson, click here.