1674 - Liverpool isn't cool

Today I went by train to Liverpool
A pleasant day it was by the Mersey
Of course, some days there it is far too cool
And more often than not, far too windy
But today there was just a little breeze
As I walked through the streets towards the docks
With my coat on I knew I wouldn't freeze
But I got warmer with each step I took
The business meeting dragged, but by good luck
It ended early, allowing this fool
To climb the hill to Lime Street to catch the
12:52 to Manchester, and talk
To a talkative, hard-drinking football
Fan of Tranmere (away at Sheff Wednesday)

1462 - Lancashire thankyoushire

A sunny day. I donned my shorts and T-
Shirt, and sat down to watch the Sunday shows
Like Andrew Marr, Sunday Live, and Country
Tracks (today, the Lancashire coast); saw those
Sculptures on Crosby Beach, showing their toes
And groins and whatnot, some with barnacles
All looking to sea. Further up the coast
They showed, inevitably, brash Blackpool’s
Illuminations, and those trams, their wheels
Impressively multi-coloured; then the
Midland Hotel, Morecambe, which once more glows
Bright white, well now and then when sunlight falls
Over the no man’s land of the bay. We
Really should visit these places, you know

1460 - Bolton wanderings

The town of Bolton is the place to go
If you want to see all shades of vomit
Staining the pavement, including shadows
Of vomit from last week, or just last night
Stockport, it has to be said, does alright
In this regard, as does Oldham, Rochdale
And even posher Macclesfield, but quite
The best in street decor using cheap ale
Splashed all around with Pollock-like detail
After regurgitation, so it shows
That bit longer, can be found in the streets
Of Bolton. Let me take your hand; we'll sail
On pools of puke with little undertow
These filthy pavements make you want to spit!

1256 - Hit by the north

I lose my way when I go to Wigan
And Bolton and Oldham, and such places
I drove there today and I found again
That I was lost in a sea of faces
Happy and smiling, showing no traces
Of loneliness; content and confident
They strut, and shut me out, but I face this
Uncaring, unfair scaring, scarred and bent
Under its weight, watching, waiting; I’m sent
Into this torment by my own demon
The only one who drives me on; places
His trust in me, though they all circumvent
Me in each circus tent; clown smiles, fake fun
Lovemaking on the run, heart-shaped spaces

1064 - Nearly forgot

Nearly forgot to write this poor sonnet
Was lying in bed trying to relax
After a long and busy day, when it
Seemed like I got much done; firstly, in tax
Matters: drove to Blackburn, was late, so max
Speed on the motorways of Lancashire
And when it was over, then I made tracks
Back to the Salford office. I appeared
Smart in the shirt and purple tie I wore!
Was waiting for a text about my net
Connection by O2, but they were lax
They texted the wrong mobile number. Der!
Despite this, got my internet all set
Up, but not wireless, not yet. Now… relax!
Mon 3 August