Poetry Lyrics - Ray Davies

I just got back from a walk down the square 

To the local Kentucky 

To see what was cookin' down there 

I looked around at the store 

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 tellin' us what to eat 

In every shop window goods are designed to please 

Oh, but I ask where is the poetry? 

The day we met we were both down the road 

But we laughed and found comfort 

With old books and [inaudible] 

And reading poetry out loud 

Or watching old black and white films together 

In the days before Blockbuster came 

I hear you ran off and found yourself a rich handsome fellow 

To supply you with all you require, your material needs 

I hope your fairy tale doesn't end tragically 

And in a shopping mall somewhere 

You'll be down on your knees 

Cryin' out loud "where is the poetry?" 

I'm looking at the sign that says "have a good day" 

And I got too much on my mind 

So many questions that get in the way 

Everybody's lookin' for perfection 

Once I heard a wise man say 

To get sometimes, you have to give away 

(Where is the poetry? [inaudible]) 

(What does it mean? give us some sign) 

I have read in the news someone said 

That the great population is better off 

Than it used to be 

Better house, better food 

Better sex, and 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 but 

I'm too blind to see 

She settled for someone who isn't so hard to reach 

Now I'm on the fire of desire and the mystery 

Oh, but I ask where is the poetry?