Dirty seaside town

‘It’s not very nice, is it!’
we hear a couple say
at a table in the café.

They’re not from around here
and I understand why they might not like it
the smell, mainly

the beach debris
the old people
did I mention the smell?

The afternoon peppermint tea ladies
who take their toddlers to Battersea Arts Centre
wouldn’t like it

the kids with trainers with guestlist tickets
for Westwood DJing at Liquid
wouldn’t like it

people who enjoy strolls round cathedrals
and popping into antiques shops
wouldn’t like it

even people who live here would admit
it’s not very nice.
It’s not very nice but it’s ours.