The Building
An ode to our built environment in particular the 1960's
Great sheets of unclean glass march across its grey façade,
Concrete panels and massive blocks hang from unseen metal clasps
Angular, rising, this monumental thing, heavy, standing within a ring
Of others just like this, nothing whatsoever here is bliss.
Rough, unfinished is its look, matching grey November skies,
Downcast and forbidding, no adornment is in view
Brutal, facing down all that it surrounds
This ugly thing of modern times, never here will there be chimes.
Widely sweeping steps to climb, to doors that do not greet.
Signage of the times befitting no emotion, and as dark as sleet.
Metal frames dull in finish set against dark marble floors,
Echoes to the step, but no music therein lies.
A ‘Battleship’ in grey, stranded and out of place,
This structure built without any hint of grace,
Sinks into the landscape dragging down all sense of hope
A monolith in concrete forlorn and lacking scope.
What is this place to which we’ve come?
Just another public building that makes us glum?
Like some dark nightmare where there is no sun
Its’ the Headstone of a period that’s been outdone!
(2006)
The importance of our built environment cannot be overstated, it has immense influence on all who occupy it or use it. It can lift our spirits, but sadly, and all to often it depresses them, and perhaps the worst period of all was the 1960's but there have been many dreadful buildings erected since then..and it has to be said many beautiful ones also.
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