The Princes Square Peacock

The Princes Square peacock
in full Art Nouveau
looks down from on high
to the people below

And Buchanan Street shoppers
as they venture within
can gaze up to its wonder
with a smile or a grin

For it simply commands
with its wonderful form
that looking up with a smile
is completely the norm

©Jemverse

Princes Square is a shopping centre on Buchanan Street in central Glasgow, Scotland. It was first designed and built in the 1840s by John Baird and other architects, but was re-developed in 1986 to a design by Edinburgh architects, the Hugh Martin Partnership. The decorative peacock was added in 1990 as a contribution to the City of Culture Festival in Glasgow that year.

 

Argyll Street

Central station, Argyll Street
running through the city
towers in its grandeur still
above the street and pretty

Once proudly known at Westergait
and over two miles long
Four hundred years of history
adds to Glasgow’s song

And though its heritage has changed
with progress over time
It’s vista is undaunted as
Argyll Street still looks fine

©Jemverse

Opened in 1879. Extended in 1901. Originally known as Westergait, Argyll Street led west from Trongate to the city’s West Port, the western gate out of the city’s walls. It was renamed in honour of the Duke of Argyll, some time after the removal of the West Port in 1751, as a result of the expansion of the city westward.

Excited

I’m on my way to Gatwick
to board a big jet plane
which’ll take me up to Glasgow
on my travels once again

It’s quite a way, four hundred miles
and sixty-six point two
so I’m pleased that I am flying
from home to my venue

And I’m really quite excited
as flying is a treat
First come first served at check-in
Hope I get a window seat

I’ve never been to Glasgow
so I’ll be writing there for sure
the experience to share with you
when I’m at home once more

©Jemverse