A Frontier of Contrast
A Frontier of Contrast
In a small corner of America
there is a hidden gem, a story to tell
Its attraction lies between two opposing worlds
celebrated by man´s innate difference
separated by man´s indifference
The finest city in the USA
is San Diego so the local radio does say
At the south west corner of the land
it exemplifies limiltess wealth
with converging freeways and skyscrapers
It impresses all those who live there or call
A wire, a wall away, a different place beckons
in sharp contrast to any created glamour
yet to which thousands gather
Tijuana is a Mexican town
an adjunct poor to its northern neighbour
but here amongst its dusty alleys and streets
is a town so rich in colour and diversity
It makes no secret of its poverty
beggars strategically placed do squat
waiting for a dollar to drop
from a passing tourist
Noise and clamour, confusion and chaos
are found here in an abundance
Town planning has failed miserably
but a vibrancy pervades the place
filled with people, a cacophony of sound
Restaurants in which musicians sing
in somberos with huge brims
They serenade, cajole and joke
in rooms filled with drink and smoke
Unlike its northern neighbour wrapped in hygiene
it has a carefree and wild feel
These two neighbours are as chalk and cheese
success and failure, wealth and need
people must and will choose what suits
but what is certain to all who visit both
one has character and culture
tinged with grime
the other only pristine until the end of time
M.C. Newberry
Fri 14th Apr 2017 21:09
An intriguing and entertaining tale of two places - or
maybe that should be two attitudes of mind.
I recall reading somewhere that California's economy was
larger than some countries; also that San Diego is
the naval hub of the USA itself. Two factors that surely
help keep the Golden State at the forefront of estimates
of financial worth.
I retain the suspicion that the Latin temperament is
responsible for the quality of life of its people. Indolent
is a word that comes to mind. Further south, South
America has numerous national examples that keep
populations in poverty whilst a select few with professed
socialist sympathies do not seem keen on sharing the
wealth they hold. The indolence occasionally erupts
into violence (Venezuela is currently teetering on the
brink!) by those masses who lose patience with the
way they are being kept in financial chains, with job
prospects and any opportunity of improving their lot
in life dismissively denied in perpetuity.
San Diego may be pristine but the optimistic traffic
headed that way indicates the attraction such a
prospect holds for those not satisfied with their more
"colourful" existences.