A warm June night,
Lit by the gentle street glow.
The hum and rush rises,
From the city street below.

Night workers mill about,
As drunks stagger home.
Night bus drivers on their route,
Whilst homeless souls roam.

The city pulsing at 1am,
To the gentle pace of the night.
The sprawling worlds in London,
Where diversity paints a sight.

But then a far-off siren,
Pierces this night-time scene.
One, then two, then a dozen,
Shatter this darkness so serene.

A community in London burns,
The city's silence turns.
The shattering of this silent hour,
Burning Grenfell Tower.

Drabble published June 18, 2017 15:09

Neville Hunt almost 7 years ago

This is excellent, Peter. You have really caught the threatening undertones of the city at night and then hit home with the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, bursting out of the night silence. Excellent, moving and timely, albeit tragic.
Peter Humfrey almost 7 years ago

Thank you Neville, I'm considering doing a series of drabbles this week on the various tragic events that have struck this country so far this year. Whilst these events are tragic they have the capacity to bring the beauty of community and creative memorial out in so many people.
Neville Hunt almost 7 years ago

That's a terrific idea, Peter. I think the sense of community is very strong in times of tragedy. What does concern me though is the rather sinister hand of politics of every persuasion taking advantage of community grief. I am rather afraid...

A Shattered Silent Night