The managed decline of London

should begin with a swift declaration

that it costs too much to be viable,

that the days of it being the nation’s capital

are over and that Big Ben, the Elizabeth Tower

should be allowed to fall into disrepair

and stop,

just one last hurrah on a New Year’s Eve

and let the chimes the following year

just be the recording of an icon

who stood firm against the winds of change.

 

Let London fall,

not the boroughs of course, just London,

let Whitechapel be grand, Islington and Shepherds Bush

revel in new beauty, Cheapside regain the Towering strength

of purpose, let Lords be its own small village, Croydon to be it’s City,

let Camden and Mornington Crescent caw with delight,

let the Tower become the heartland

and let London fall…

 

When speaking of London, let the children of children

watch as Parliament is removed and let the clock be silent,

let not the mark of Benjamin Hall forever be a gauged mark

of millions of pounds spent to save something

that is beautiful yes, but is now a relic of Empire,

let Empire fall. Let Empire fall and let

us now seek beauty in those who should come first,

the people of the country, let Westminster fall.

 

Let London fall, let us do the decent thing

and start the managed decline of the city,

let the towns that were bullied into the gown

and gavel of pomp, reach once more for their own greatness,

let the managed decline of London begin…

 

For Big Ben costs too much to repair.

 

Ian D. Hall 2015