National poetry day, huh?

[glenatron]

I Say I Say I Say

Anyone here had a go at themselves
for a laugh? Anyone opened their wrists
with a blade in the bath? Those in the dark
at the back, listen hard. Those at the front
in the know, those of us who have, hands up,
let's show that inch of lacerated skin
between the forearm and the fist. Let's tell it
like it is: strong drink, a crimson tidemark
round the tub, a yard of lint, white towels
washed a dozen times, still pink. Tough luck.
A passion then for watches, bangles, cuffs.
A likely story: you were lashed by brambles
picking berries from the woods. Come clean, come good,
repeat with me the punch line 'Just like blood'
when those at the back rush forward to say
how a little love goes a long long long way.

        - Simon Armitage

Comments

[skiesfirepaved.livejournal.com]

Hah! That's pretty good. :)

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

I should know more contemporary poets, but really I don't. Very poor form on my part.

[shiva-matimbres.livejournal.com]

there is a mountain in the sky
Looks down upon you and I
Or maybe it's just really high

...

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Yes, maybe I was wrong about contemporary poetry after all.

[fleefloodle.livejournal.com]

I like this, thank you!

[life-of-tom.livejournal.com]

Acupuncture!

Stab, fiddle, acupuncture.
fiddle, stab, acupuncture.
stab, stab, acupuncture.
It's a hot potato.

Ken Rowe, late of Bartholomew School sixth form class of 1993. A surreal genius. No idea what he's doing now. He could have been Pope, Ted. He could have been Pope!

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

It is, indeed, a hot potato.