hypercritical

hypercritical 

posit now, how each generation,

proclaim that love be the critical factor,

that is feeding this fast-breeder reactor;

running forever without attenuation, 

even in the self-consuming fires,

of all that the selfish gene desires. 

feverfew

feverfew 

yes the schoolyard 

the big yard

the one at the top

with the steps down to 

the bottom yard the one

with the two shelters and

the door to sixty year old

kisses in the cloakroom 

yes i remember it as if it

was tomorrow and we were singing 

  one more day of sin 

  one more day of sorrow 

  one more day in this lousy old dump 

  for we are breaking up tomorrow 

do you remember

MR SPEAKER

MR SPEAKER 

order order

in any particular order 

there is there 

order order

Said ...

Said ...

All behind like Brown’s cows (mum)

Half a crown postal order 

and a thruppeny stamp.

An ounce of Golden Virginia

and a packet of cigarette papers. (Dad)

He thinks his shit is chocolate. (Mum)

Old so and so - he died! (Dad)

Never say:

Up Mike’s behind the wall paper!

Or gor blimey!

Laughing leads to crying.(mum)

(Mum and Dad) 

No sooner said - than dead.

What can I say?

Martyn

With me, John, Dave, and Ray,

all the talk is of yesterday;

when dear Martyn made it five,

and would do so now, if he were still alive.

So raise your glasses to the four of us,

and to Martyn’s spirit on the early bus;

while me, John, Dave, and Ray,

remember many a better day.

dear old england

dear old england 

dear old england 

you are in my bones

deep and hard

a patriotic unicorn

a cabal that

stirs the marrow

of harrow and eton 

all those

mountains of the moon

at the sunset of our

hopes and prayers

oh god

it does and all

with mute tears

i sink to my knees

Hook, line and sinker

Hook, line and sinker

What paternoster have I swallowed,

that has hooked me in the guts, through

this skein of skin? Such a fine

thread that holds me be-muscled 

to the rock’s jest, seething with 

its promises for tomorrow, 

and the words that will set words free.