There are no gasometres

There are no gasometres

Not like at the Oval

In London

Heritage listed

For their iconic status

Across the cricketing world.

Perhaps all would be better

If it was

A cricketing world.

Everyone tuned in

To ‘Test Match Special’

Discussing the nature of a googly

The benefit of reverse swing

When the ball is worn.

The balmy army,

The camaraderie of the fans

From wherever they hail.

This is a dog park

The ground is still toxic

It is probably the poop

Or the council shenanigans

The efforts to re-zone the area

For contemporary living.

So much hot air

Has been created

That dog walkers complain

Of light-headedness.

Teenage lovers still

Practice their Shakespeare

Under the Plain Trees

The boys struggle to understand

The nature of tragedy

And continue

To press their case

For access to the full meaning

Of romance

Before they have digested

The abridged version.

Once I have left that poison

Behind me

I breathe easier

The walk home

Is without ado

Lacking in controversy

Chicanery

The machinations of an

Elizabethan court

Or any midsummer madness.