Published September 1, 2022
by Migel Jayasinghe
(London, England)
Hail the London Underground, for a century-and-a-half run!
Took me to my work on weekdays, right into the heart of town;
brought me back quite safely home, though really it was no fun
packed like sardines on escalators hurtling up and down.
Retired abroad then lured by the Med, blue sky, and the Spanish sun,
returned to London on the odd occasion, overdressed, more like a clown.
Dodged the rush hour with transit luggage, weighing almost a ton;
at twice my age, old London Tube, you deserve praise and renown.
After Brexit, relocated to London, searching for a retirement base;
No more driving around in cars when buses stop at one's door.
My life in London began in the Sixties, (those really were the days)!
Now a frail old octogenarian – (boy!) who could've asked for more?
Biography
Migel Jayasinghe: Emigrated from (Ceylon) Sri Lanka to UK in 1963.
Acquired BA (Hons) in Psychology Goldsmiths College (1968 - 1971).
Research Assistant at Industrial Training Research Unit, Cambridge (1973 - 1974).
Occupational psychologist at Educational and Occupational Assessment Service, Lusaka, Zambia (1975 - 1978).
M.Sc. in Occupational Psychology from Birkbeck College (1981 - 1982).
Occupational psychologist, promoted to Higher psychologist, at the Manpower Services Commission.
Senior occupational psychologist with Royal British Legion Industries until retirement (1996 - 2001).
This poem is included in Poetry World #4, published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.
Previously published in London Poetry Magazine:
Timor Sea
by Richard Bateman
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