from Concrete

The invention of concrete was I imagine
greeted with dismay by slaves:
the advance of their master’s industry
towards a greater state – indentured,
they found new formulas simply created
structures more quickly than before.

We have seen it grow around us,
raised alongside it; our histories newly shaped,
angles accommodated, more moulded
now by metal beams and heavy blocks.
The invention of slaves was I imagine
greeted with satisfaction by masters of industry.

They found structures created more quickly
than before and towards a greater state
we are all indentured – newly shaped,
more moulded, new formulas simply created.

Alan Jude Moore‘s latest collection is Strasbourg (Salmon, 2010).