Laindon Shopping Centre

In 1978 only 
the 'Pop in Cafe',
was open on
a Sunday.

Warm and lit
amongst the
dead of the
greengrocer,
baker,

the hateful 
bookmaker, who 
took all our fathers
to the cleaners.

Inside,
there were
men in sideburns 
and tattoos.

Chasing the pages
of the News of the World,
lighting a fag
that illuminated
a saucy vicar's wife.

There was 
Cheese on toast.
Alvin Stardust on the 
Jukebox.

The Pinball machine 
was out of order.
The wizard never
came to fix it.

Someone even wrote 
letters to JIm.

Once,
twice, 
three times 
to nothing.

And its 2014 now.

The 'Pop In' a tale
that old men tell 
their sons
over bacon,
eggs and 
bravado.

Before sparking
a roll up,
inhaling deeply
to read of a
vicar's husband..