Written on the 440 bus near North Acton station last week - unfinished but putting it in to give a flavour of how much the whole development disturbs me - especially seeing as it is only the beginning of what might happen in that area:High rise, rising high, rising huge Striding like Triffids in this wasteland, Cutting and butting into the innocent air Giving views of other high risers, early risers Rising high over us feeling low.On the edge the bus drivers change and the hospital waits for new casualties.This land was woods, was pigs snuffling and cows grazing and gazing. Later it became a throughway, all cut down for canal, for railways, for roads, crossing here, crossing there, always crossing, the best views from the bridges, a land not to stay or rest in, a jumble with pockets of working, pockets of living, swathes of waste, all connected but with no connection.Now they are building.High rise, rising high, rising huge Striding like Triffids in this wasteland, Cutting and butting into the innocent air Giving views of other high risers, early risers Rising high over us feeling low.
Anthony Smith ● 2671d