The birds were the first to start the song,
filling the air with their sweet soprano.
Then came the cars, screeching in staccato
and all the people in different pitch and tempo
The men and women in their sharp suits
enjoying the sun and their 3-pound salads,
whilst the workmen in hard hats and sleeves of tats
Rested on the green, dining on sushi.
Lunch in London was a beautiful matter;
people local, foreign and far,
so different and akin as they stood
frozen in motion at that moment in time.
And slowly over time, the song strengthened in sound,
pulling all into its lively tune –
‘Hi there, would you like a game of table tennis?’
‘Excuse me, is this seat taken?’
For this is the song of London life
rising above all odds and strife.
Stronger than before
and better than ever,
so when I look from my keyboard,
I smile at what I see.
For this is the heart of London,
and as good as it’ll ever be.
Hafsa Khalil 