THE ELWOOD CANAL

 

                                    THE ELWOOD CANAL

                                                   80 YEARS +

 

Irascible old man reminisces what he saw

midst 1940’s bitter battles 2^nd world war,

GI’S disembarked Port Melbourne, on R ‘n R,

to Point Ormond, stroll, hitch, bus, car.

Cross Elwood Canal flowing sludge, public waste,

at shops $US buys fruit, lollies with a sweet taste,

human debris pours into pristine Port Phillip Bay,

as families, friends, on polluted beach, swim 'n play.

 Green rattlers to Elsternwick Station via Glenhuntly Road,

 over Barkly Street, thru park freshly mowed,

 by Elwood Central, wheels grate along steel channel,

 we in short pants, catch yabbies from odious canal,

 

 Eighty years on, no change taken place

 a slimy snake slithering, sluggish pace,

 greenies, tree huggers, not living by drain

 protest, global warming, droughts, floods, rain.

 

Imagine councils, pollies with will, powers to be,

cover canal, for parkland, so future gens feel free,

acres, lush grass, trees, entice passive recreation,

bike paths, walks, playgrounds, social sensation!

 

 

 Alan Pinkus                                                            alpinkuspoetry.blogspot.com