Back in 2021, I was commissioned at part of Bury’s Town of Culture to create a series of poems in responses to the history of the town- I realised recently that although they were performed and displayed at Bury Art Museum, they were never published anywhere so I am going to post all five over the next few weeks. Each one involved walking these places I am familiar with, reconnect with them and then digging deep in the archives to find hidden stories

David Dixon / Bury Market / CC BY-SA 2.0

Market

Like a seagull descending 

An alien ship from space. 

This world-famous market, 

Is a wonderful place. 

You should see it at dawn, 

When the crowds haven’t come, 

And the traders are moving, 

Up with the sun. 

With purpose and routine, 

They’ve done this before, 

Stacked all the bargains, 

From ceiling to floor. 

Step into the market, 

Step into our place, 

Soak up the rhythm, 

The heartbeat, the pace. 

There are comings and goings, 

Movement all round, 

Take in the sights, 

Swim in the sound. 

“Two for a pound” 

“Receipt’s in the bag” 

Park at the counter 

For a pint and a fag. 

There are regulars, the “lifers”, 

Who have seen it all, 

Who’ll stay for a chat, 

Because it’s more than a stall. 

It’s a story, a memory, 

A familiar face, 

“It’s the people” they’ll tell you, 

“That really make this place”. 

And from samosa, to cannoli, 

To Kielbasa and brie, 

The fabric, the gadgets, 

There is more here to see. 

It’s a centre, a heart, 

A reflection of us. 

And you are part of it, 

When you step off the bus. 

Or drive, or walk, 

Or come on the tram. 

“It might not be the pyramids 

But its world-famous man!”