A REVOLUTIONARY TO HIS TIM'ROUS LOVE

When I began to change myself
into another language, I felt nervous
because I thought the whole world
was coming in me. And because I was affected
I needed a Big Bang
and I can explode matter like Fascists.

So it seems that when you saw the explosion
you felt frightened
because you'd thought to cling to dreams
of golden mountains singing Free Markets.
It sounds like you need security.
I can give you power in place of dreams.
How about it?

ILL TREATMENT BY HUSBAND

The first bowl of porridge was too hot.

The second bowl of porridge was too cold.

The third bowl of porridge was never right.

He sat in a chair that was too hard.

He sat in a chair that was too soft.

He smashed a chair over her head.

In the bedroom he treated her roughly.

In the bedroom he kissed her neck tenderly.

In the bedroom he near-half strangled her.

One night three bears broke into the kitchen

and disturbed the contents of cupboards and bins

and nobody has seen him since.

HEREDITARY PREDISPOSITION

genome twists the 

follicle makes the 

melatonin whitens the 

balance falters the 

heart quickens the 

life shrivels the 

penis squirms the 

scrotum tightens the 

diaphragm hiccups the 

hand grasps the

KICKED IN THE HEAD BY A HORSE

i.m. IT

A police horse. Horseshoes. Metal. A riot helmet. Hooves.
Knock, knock. Broken jaw. Fetlock. Mane. A splintered fibula.
Minor injuries. Bruises. A booted shin. Accident & Emergency.
Temporary loss of vision. Stroke. Strike. A heart attack.
Knock. Shattered humerus. Who's there? POLICE. A bust Yale lock.
Fingers in a door jamb. A fat lip. Torn eyelid. Lesions.
These are polished heroes on parade. Medals. The door on the chain.
Community trust award. Shield. Riot squad. Boots. Stampede.
Bust. A police horse. Halter. Stirrup. Bit. Neck. Reins. Noose.

INTEMPERANCE AND BUSINESS TROUBLE

In The City, sunlight turns the air to melted ice-cream
sending city bankers to the ale house for their lunch
to souse the fires with Staropramen. Thermometers pop
at the sound of the trading bell and seeping buboes 
weep in the underarms of short sleeved linen shirts.

This one, three sheets gone, makes a gamble he can drink
the afternoon dry. The afternoon responds with rain.

HOW THEY MADE THE BETTER WORLD

for AH, RB, CF, JW, NF, TH

Anna plucked the sunshine from the dusk
Rachel raised the catflap to let the mice out
Cheryl fashioned time from the silvered workings of a watch
Jenny printed money on torn copies of The Advertiser
Nuala distilled love from a column of lonely-hearts
Tracy drew speech from stones

Tracy drew speech from stones
Anna plucked the sunshine from the dusk
Nuala distilled love from a column of lonely-hearts
Rachel raised the catflap to let the mice out
Cheryl fashioned time from the silvered workings of a watch
Jenny printed money on torn copies of The Advertiser

SLEEPING WITH THE DINOSAUR

for BC, MF, AC, JMG, SG, SM, SD, BM, CF, GF, GT, MG, SB, JR, NF, AN, SJ, BW, AG, LCB

We haven't woken up. The dinosaur's still here.
Ireland, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, who's next?
I wouldn't really blame U2 entirely, but still...
We both work and struggle; are we wrong?
Ireland, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, who's next?
Lucky to be working, but still struggling on.
We both work and struggle; are we wrong?
Money's too tight to mention, just an illusion.

Lucky to be working, but still struggling on.
We are lambs slaughtered for the bankers' sins.
Money's too tight to mention, just an illusion.
We've been fucked over by some elite psychopaths.
We are lambs slaughtered for the bankers' sins.
This is why I get no pay rise.
We've been fucked over by some elite psychopaths.
Bankers sank us and now we pay shit.

This is why I get no pay rise.
Break off your landlord's nose and sell it.
Bankers sank us and now we pay shit.
Counting every penny because every penny counts now.
Break off your landlord's nose and sell it.
Turn down the downturn. Frivolity. Spend. Spend. Spend
Counting every penny because every penny counts now.
Infinite growth on a finite planet is insane.

Turn down the downturn. Frivolity. Spend. Spend. Spend.
Pay frozen for 4 years! Where's my bonus?
Infinite growth on a finite planet is insane.
Economic plummet has Great Britain on her knees!
Pay frozen for 4 years! Where's my bonus?
Many paying for the greed of a few.
Economic plummet has Great Britain on her knees!
Banks, unregulated, made hay at expense of poor.

Many paying for the greed of a few.
My dead cat would make a better Chancellor.
Banks, unregulated, made hay at expense of poor.
Stealing from the poor, 'banking' up the rich.
My dead cat would make a better Chancellor.
I wouldn't really blame U2 entirely, but still...
Stealing from the poor, 'banking' up the rich.
We haven't woken up. The dinosaur's still here.