Stanley A Changing Town

The sun rising up along hookers point way Begins to light up Stanley Harbour. The shadows cast long on pavements and streets From the houses along them in this waking hour. Street lights that were shining right through the night Are now starting to switch themselves off. A shimmering mist lifts from the harbour As droplets of water drip from a roof. Somewhere in the distance a car can be heard As a driver gets home from a night shift. Chimneys start smoking as householders stoke fires Housewives make breakfast of chops eggs and toast. Then almost like clockwork the Town starts to buzz As people get ready for the days work ahead. While some will come home for lunch at midday Others won’t get back before the kids are in bed. Chickens start cackling as the fresh eggs are laid The children get ready to go of to school. Their mothers start cleaning the house for the day Preparing cooked meals to keep the all full. Most of the men folk have now walked to work As only their bosses can afford their own car. That’s how it was a long time ago The roads they were rough no concrete or tar. The bright coloured roof’s of corrugated iron Sparkle in the bright morning light. From a boat in the harbour it’s a breath taking view Of a quiet little town clean fresh and bright. But just like most places, nothing is safe This quaint little town now bares all the scars. It’s witnessed world wars a conflict as well Industrial changes have brought hundreds of cars. It’s not just the men who now go to work Their wages cannot keep up with inflation. All of the family now go off to work To make more to live on in this new situation. The town may have prospered in these changes of times But it’s people have not done so well. As the town continues to develop and grow How many will suffer, no one can tell. Stanley’s lost it’s old magic it once used to have There’s no smoke from the pet stoves any more. Oils on the horizon that there’s no doubt Expansion will follow, that is for sure. Stanley may change with the passing of time The people may adapt to a new way of life. The town of Port Stanley will still be a home For your brother or sister, Your husband or wife.