How many times I seem to have spent

Controlling that ephemeral environment,

A duty placed on those like me

To safely secure frivolity

That seemed to last from morn till night

Till the final clear-up came in sight;

With protective boarding taken down

By those on their return to town

Praying for homes and - inter-alia -

Gardens unsoiled by drug paraphernalia;

While hospitals coping with injured limbs

Watch as the city daylight dims

Hoping that an ever-open door

Will finally (happily!) admit no more.

And rain that came would mark the end

Of anyone staying and instead send

Them safe to where it would be said

What a great time all who were there had led;

While behind amid the mess and clutter

Others might be heard to mutter

As they cleaned up all the mess and swill

From an August bank holiday in Notting Hill

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