London: A Novel Unread

From The Royal Orders Centuries Ago To The Money Matters Of Today, From Being Proudly Brutal Yet The Most Deeply Civilised, From Crowding The Sacred Cathedrals To The Most Profane Bars, From The Dark Dreadful Alleys To The Ever So Smiling Parks & Buildings, From Being Barbaric Enough To Erect A 50 Story Steel Empowering A 300-year-old Church, To Be Welcoming Enough To Make One Feel Like A Londoner In Just Two Hours Drive From Heathrow To Westminster... Every Turn In The Central London Is Like A New Surprising Page In An Old Book You Thought You Have Read

- Akanksha Bhargava

"I OFTEN wonder how it rules our lives We save every bit to see our offspring survive It speaks of domination and affluence to some And distant dreams if you have none.

It can be the root of all evil Or a lifeline when you are sinking Or your nest egg when you aren't working.

We can argue that it makes one happy But it also creates greed, murder and insanity It's a game of numbers, numbers that never end Money! Money! Money! How much is ever enough For one to be content."

Christ church Greyfriars, New Gate Street. London

"I FEAR NOTHING. I fear no one. I am free.

I am free because I am responsible for myself.

I am free to breathe. I am free to write.

I am free to speak and I am free to fly.

Freedom is not absolute.

I feel free because I do not react, I respond. I feel the absence of pressure. I feel the absence of compulsion.

I feel free because I am in control of my emotions. I feel free because there are no chains or desires bonding me.

I feel content. I feel happy. I feel free within.

I feel free because I feel me.

Electric scooters and bikes throng the city these days. A rider caught on camera with No.1 Poultry building in the background

"OUR FINGERS entwined

My head resting on your shoulder

It was a moment in time

But is now a few seconds older.

Seconds turn into minutes

Minutes into days

Days into months

And it's suddenly a year.

Years go by,

And a moment becomes a memory

That brings a smile to my face

Each time, the scene unrolls to me

Time brings changes, joys and fears

But it is these memories of the past

That linger on for years

How time flies..."

Naturally framed with an arch, Big Ben from the other side of the Thames