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Ray Davies

Music

Lyrics

Poetry

I just got back from a walk
Down the square
To the local Kentucky
To see what was cooking down there

I looked around at the stores
And the signs
And the queues lining up
For that 21st Century fare

I kneel down and say grace for the comforts the world bestows on me
And the great corporations providing our every need
And those big neon signs telling us what to eat
And every shop window goods are designed to please
Oh but I ask
Where is the poetry?

The day we met we were both down and broke
But we laughed and found comfort
In old books and walks in the rain
Reading poetry out loud
Watching old black and white films together
In the days before Blockbuster came

I hear you ran off and found yourself a rich handsome fella
To supply you with all you require in material needs
I hope your fairytale doesn’t end tragically
And in a shopping mall somewhere you’ll be down on your knees
Crying out loud
Where is the poetry?

I’m looking at a sign that says “Have A Good Day”
But I got too much on my mind
So many questions that get in the way

Everybody’s looking for perfection
But once I heard a wise man say
To get sometimes you have to give away
Where is the poetry, what is the rhyme?
What is the meaning?
Give us a sign

I have read in the news
Someone said that the great the population
Is better off than yesterday
Better health, better food, better sex
Better higher education
But with credit card bills always on the way

And I just saw my gal with a guy in a fast food outlet
They seemed happy together
But I saw the tragedy

Maybe I’m missing something
Was too blind to see
She settled for someone who isn’t so hard to please
Without all the fire and desire and the mystery

Oh But I ask
Where is the poetry?