Enduring Brixton

They evicted the squat
at Clifton Mansions today
old Brixton expelled
and told to make way
after twenty long years
twenty two homes
decanted.

Windrush Square looks fine
in the summer sunshine
but the street drinkers
were tidied away
like the tables and chairs
of the Ritzy Cafe
at the end of another long day.

The corner feels safer
when I wait for a bus
now the dealers have fled
for Acre Lane
and I like what they've done
with the Granville Arcade
but then I'm white and I'm middle class.

But it's still 'edgy' and 'vibrant'
on Coldharbour Lane
and Electric Avenue
still reeks of meat
this pleases me greatly
as this neighbourhood
should never look just like me.