Affluence

Affluence is liberation, affluence is reminiscing,
affluence is a second generation that don't know what they're missing.
Affluence is emptying the pedal bin, wearing a leather skirt,
never getting your hands dirty, not allowing your pride to be hurt.

Affluence glows like a well soaked sun tan,
across the breasts of a young housewife.
Affluence is a house in Essex
and a mortgage for the rest of your life.

Affluence is a video machine, to enjoy violence at your leisure.
Affluence is watching a sex film, if the violence doesn't give you pleasure.
Affluence is an unusual word, overheard in the checkout queue.
Eyes that unwrap your shopping, then stick the knife into you.

Affluence is this year's model, parked on your tarmac drive,
affluence, is the pleasures of life, being glad that you're alive.
Affluence is available. To you, on easy credit.
Er. Pending financial status! Don't tell them I said it.

Affluence is a lunch time pub, sharing a couple of jars,
and on weekend evenings, frequenting wine bars.
Affluence is Piere Cardin. Affluence is Benneton.
Affluence is material love and two weeks in Benidorm.

Affluence is 'fitting in'. You know immediate recognition.
smiling your way to the top. To a comfortable position.
Affluence is unisex, affluence is deviation,
affluence is S'nM, or a Zandra Rhodes creation.

Affluence is dampness, as your neighbour trudges in the street,
and you waive as you pass in your brand new car, wriggling in your seat.

Affluence is far away places, that appear on your TV screen.
You don't have to live there. But you can boast to your friends that you've been.

Affluence is a catch, and how many people get caught?
Moreover, how many admit, it was their own selfish fault?
Affluence is a spiral. A wall of death for you to ride.
A cavalcade coliseum, without a place to hide.

Affluence is the Queen's new clothes.
A variation on the three card trick.
Affluence is like mud.
If you throw enough, it'll stick!



Capability Red aprox 1990

The Wedding Reception

Whilst DJ at a wedding reception
I found time to mingle with the folks,
sink a few beers, offer them cheers,
suffer all of their jokes.

I also 'ear wigged' the gossip;
it spilled like a boil just burst,
the lads were moving fast on an ego trip
about who'd get his end away first!

I exercised a cool sense of brevity
when approached by bridesmaid Rose.
She had facial hair, that caused guests to stare
at that 'shadow' beneath her nose.

The in-laws were a race of Ogres.
The best man resembled a Yeti.
When he wasn't downing a pint
he was shoveling his face with spaghetti.

Every young married couple I spoke to,
had a son with the name Jason,
a cute little daughter called Hayley,
and knew someone, who was a freemason.

The groom was the life of the party
everyone left feeling cock a hoop.
That is, everyone except the groom himself,
he'd contracted brewers droop!

We took him home in a taxi
he was totally unaware,
and we had to leave him in the kitchen,
'cos we couldn't get him up the stairs.

The bride's face. Earlier so radiant,
was a cast of molten gloom,
she sobbed on her wedding night
all alone in her room.

By now, everyone else had gone home,
so I offered to clear up the mess.
She asked me to stay for coffee
cautiously, I said yes.

It was a tentative encounter,
neither of us knew what to say.
But we both got what we wanted,
it's funny how it worked out that way.


Capability Red aprox 1989

For Paul....

Black 'n white tv on a winters night?
Dad, what did you do in the war?
Now I stare at an empty stool
Paul doesn't drink here anymore.

"Chairs pulled close 'round a glowing coal fire",
"cushions jammed tight against the door".
I can't ask for a Jim Beam,
Paul doesn't drink here anymore.

As an only child Paul would recall
those yarns of blackouts and war.
Looking down my glass is empty,
He doesn't drink here anymore.

Today there are no expectations,
no echoing boneville roar.
Paul left before last orders
and behind him he closed the door.


Capability Red 2010.

AT LAST: SOMETHING NEW!

For the first time in over a decade I have written a new poem. What follows was inspired by the sad news that an old friend of mine no longer walks on this planet. Paul was a true 'gentle giant' who loved life and lived it to the full in so many ways. He will always remain a part of the lives of the many friends he had. We spent many hours in bars, just talking; rambling; reflecting. That's the way I'll always remember him: For Paul............