VISION

i live in a place i am proud of
a place i can truly call home
somewhere unique
like nowhere else
in a neighbourhood where i know everyone by name
and understand what makes them tick
my home is comfortable all year round
cool and fresh at the height of summer
cosy and warm in the depths of winter
it generates all the power we need
fuel bills are a thing of the past
our street belongs not to cars
but to people
children play in the road
people sit in the sun
walk
cycle
or stand in the middle of the road chatting
when i step out of my front door
the air is clean and fresh
i eat a healthy diet
my vegetables and fruit are locally grown
i even grow some myself
there is plenty of work for everyone to do in my locality
people don't have to commute
or sit in traffic jams
or fight over parking spaces
everything we need is a short walk or cycle ride away
i own only things that i love and value
i don't waste months every year
working to buy possessions i don't need
or an oil-guzzler i don't want
travelling has become a real adventure again
the journey is a thrill
and every destination has its own distinctive character
people feel the need to leave the community
only when they have a special reason
and when they arrive
they are welcomed as honoured guests
the wonders of modern technology
medicine
surgery
electronic gadgets
the excitement of speed, power and noise
are rare and special
and never simply taken for granted
citizens of all politics, classes and cultures
are able to put aside their differences
and come together with a common purpose
that of ensuring
that every man, woman and child
every beast and sentient being
in this great big unjust world of ours
has the same inalienable rights
to a decent standard of health and living