July 22, 2012 | Ian Bland | Leave a comment Photo By Jools Thatcher 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” 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 Share this:TweetEmailMoreTelegram