A poem dedicated to the Millennium Landmark of the Arts – based right in my home city, by the banks of the Manchester ship canal.
There’s a place by Pier Eight,
at the end of the quay –
where people go looking for things to see.
I’m talking of Art from Present and Past,
and Shows and plays with memories that’ll last
And people they come from near and from far
drinking a coffee from the pre-show bar
as thespians make some last pre-show checks
behind the curtain, like some nervous wrecks
And paintings from famous painters they’ll see
like that one known as simply “Lowry”
and curators look on with a smile as they pass
looking at paintings from artist amassed
So, by day people look at the things on display
by night they take in a show or a play
And each night the performers prepare for the boards
behind the stage curtain – in front of the hoards.
And after the show,
for coffee they go ’bout
agreeing that they’ve had
One grand day out
The Inkwell 