“You can’t understand a city without using its public transportation system.”
Urban Birds, mixed media on canvas 24” by 30”
This is an artwork that I have wanted to paint for quite some time.
One fine evening, as I was making my way home from work as usual, I got stuck in a queue of cars on the highway on-ramp waiting to merge onto the M3. Part of the on-ramp weaves under a small fly-over bridge, and as my car inched towards it, I noticed something.
There were whole flocks of pigeons roosting and generally making themselves at home right at the top of the concrete tile work, where the perpendicular pillar walls make the right-angled connection with the horizontal bridge part (I’m sure there are official architectural terms for these, but I don’t know them).
I was able to observe their comings and goings for a few minutes while the cars were stationary. Some birds had tucked their heads neatly under their wings and gone to sleep. Some were busy grooming their feathers. Some were just sitting or standing, looking out. Some were busily poking about and presumably chirping to their neighbours, and sharing the latest gossip, such as where to get the choicest breadcrumbs etc. They reminded me so much of us humans all living squashed into little apartment units. But these birds probably have more social interaction with their neighbours than we do.
We are so used to seeing pigeons in the city. I wonder what their natural habitat would be like.
I decided to paint this differently. Maybe a little quirkier. Less child-like. More funky, as another acquaintance remarked. Some people might not like it, but I think it’s kind of unusual and weird. My kids look at it with great bewilderment as they complain they can’t understand what it means. But I guess kids can be literal creatures.
City Streets
The gaudy glow of neon lights
dispels the darkness of the nights
on city streets.
They pop and fizzle noisily
creating a cacophony
on city streets.
The sober folks walk warily
and drunks stagger uncaringly
on city streets.
The ladies of the night parade
for there is money to be made
on city streets.
Drug dealers ready to retreat
if they should hear a coppers feet
on city streets.
The night shift workers wend their way
towards their work to start their day
on city streets.
The noisy revellers thin out
as one by one the signs go out
on city streets.
The gradually noises abate
and ghostly shadow congregate
on city streets.
For some few hours peace will reign
before the noise will start again
on city streets.
The early morning traffic sounds
start with the milkmen on their rounds
on city streets.
This builds up to an angry roar
as cars and lorries inward pour
on city streets
then when at last rush hour has passed
noise levels will subside at last
on city streets
I thank the lord that I am free
to leave this noise far behind me
on city streets.
I walked my beat the whole night
through exactly as I’m paid to do
on city streets.
I choose to live outside the town
where constant noise won’t get me down
on city streets.
My village is a quiet place
A haven where I need not face
the noisy streets.
8-Jun-07
poeticpiers
