Off the beaten track

310

The city’s heartbeat found only in its dirty back streets

Forget the shiny public facade, embrace what most people disregard

These shortcuts, never busy, for those who aren't olfactorily fussy

What unearthly sludge builds up away from street cleaners' touch

An undulating reality compared to the main streets manicured regularity

Reminiscent of the Star Wars set, thankfully no Dianoga threat

Always completely soulless, without time for the grime to coalesce

Your art in white galleries, mine in dark dank alleyways

Thinking it can't get worse: always dodgier paths to traverse

For now, enjoy this scene, soon the gentrification kicks in

Manchester, UK. March 2024. Nikon d750

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