Landmarks by Night, Liverpool

I always stepped off the bus 

By the bombed-out church 

When the sky was navy blue

And falling into streetlight stars 

On lamp-posts.

Bold Street lit up

The red brick outline,

The blown-out windows,

My hollowed-out heart.

The trees inside were 

Shadow black,

But the friendliest ghosts -

They marked the start 

Of the unknown night

Steps and cobblestones

Towards something.

For the first time in my life, 

I felt free 

Not to choose -

I wandered off where there was music,

The silent walls behind me.

C. LJ Ireton 2023