Progress/Reform (Flash fiction entry from the Sunderland Literature and Creative Writing Festival, 2016)
Ian Todd
Here is the Progress change.
As buildings torn down, this is progress
Personal histories pulled down. Erased
Skyline refreshed, Plans and visions arise
New commercial avenues replace old industries
You can’t stand in the way of progress
Green fields replace the decaying leisure world
New visions grow out of the rubble
Idealistic grand plans out of dystopian mess
Bulldoze birthday parties past
First dates and old work spaces