Bland On Bland – Saints

The theme for this week’s JVG Radio Method poem is “ Saints“.

It was a huge fortnight, I had the privilege of performing a piece at the “Heart of StKilda” concert. Brilliant night, thanks to everyone who came along.

Jon even helped out by choosing Saints as a theme, so here is the poem I did at the concert.

To play this poem directly in your browser – just click the “play” button below:
[audio:JVG_Poem20120722.mp3]

Also have a listen to the tracks on the new EP “Once We Were Kings Of The World”

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Saints

The face of St Kilda; the cafes and bars
Patisseries, restaurants, pubs
Lazy by day, bustling by night
Pumping till dawn in the clubs

Fitzroy, Acland, The Esplanade, Barkly
Inkerman, Carlisle and Gray
These are the veins that course through this city
Part of our DNA

The pulse of St Kilda – artistic expression
Mora, Geyer and Tex
Constantly shifting, Nolan to Negro
Kelly to Dub FX

Migrants are the blood; cultures infused
From their customs our rituals grew
They brought with them hope, promise, ambition
And borscht and tiramisu

The beachfront, Peanut Farm, Blessington Gardens
These are the lungs and breath
What child doesn’t know of Mr Moon’s mouth
And the joy of being scared to death

Majestic old buildings ¬- the ones that escaped
They are its soul and passion
The Espy, The George, The Astor, The Palais
Style transcending fashion

Ageless, enduring, they reach across time
Queens defending their thrones
Well worn, well lived, refreshed, reinvented
New flesh brings life to old bones

A cenotaph honours defenders of empire
Those sent to battle the Boers
Now circled by towers, both revered and reviled
Reminders of no lesser wars

The wit of St Kilda, surreal and inventive
Sanity hangs by a thread
Where else do vegetables feast upon art
As trains circle over head?

Another world, in parallel
Exists beyond the lights
Obscured behind the good times
And culinary delights

A world of self preservation
Addiction, ill health and abuse
Their journeys, too often, have robbed them of hope
A consequence – not an excuse

Here, all are welcomed, respected, supported
Accepted without condemnation
Acknowledged and valued for who they are
Not judged by their situation

That such different worlds can share the same turf
Stands this city apart
The local community, big hearted, supportive
This is St Kilda’s Heart

© Copyright 2012 Ian Bland