I, Idealism

I stepped inside the dream of a worker,
my leading question gave me away.
They found me guilty of breaking and entering,
my fears were realized and that's the price I pay.
I got in through the first floor window,
of a semi detached open mind.
A stranger in the realm of platitudes,
not what I expected to find.
Emulsioned tongues whitewashed the truth,
a dormant brain had forgotten to think.
Politely English, just like saying 'sorry',
rotten to the core and yet it didn't quite stink.

I cried inside the dream of a worker,
unashamedly, I burst into tears.
Beyond reproach like a fall out victim,
the dream fades then disappears.
Festering wounds of defeatism,
had scarred him for life he didn't want to know.
Living day to day in a world of drudgery,
But I ask you, where else can he go?

I died inside the dream of a worker,
they tortured me as I screamed aloud.
The worker can have no peace of mind,
so he finds comfort in the crowd.
Make sure he earns enough to pay the mortgage,
accumulating interest on the holiday loan.
He can afford a pint if he works overtime,
and watch TV when he's on his own.
But shed a tear for this dead ambassador,
this cold utopian head of state.
Who never had those cricket captain's eyes,
and forgot to call people 'mate'.


Capability Red 1988

A to Z

Note:

This is fiction: Similarities with real people are a coincidence.


A to Z

A is for Alice, she always came close.
B is for Belinda, contracted a dose.
C is for Carol, caught scarlet fever.
D is for Diane, swore I'd never leave her.
E is for Eve, moved like a good'n.
F is for Florence, built like a puddin'.
G is for Gloria, oh what a mover.
H is for Hilda, one-time loser
I is for Ingrid, took me for a mug.
J is for Jill, attacked by a thug.
K is for Karen, she was a pleaser.
L is for Laura, bit of a teaser.
M is for Mona, made me a pass.
N is for Natalie, what a blade of grass!
O is for 'orrible. That was Pat.
P is for Pat. She was too fucking fat!
Q is for Q, so quick off the wrist.
R is for Rhonda, always getting pissed.
S is for Sonia, enjoyed it on top.
T is for Tilda, sadly a flop.
U is for Una, I met her in a pub.
V is for Violet, ended up in the club.
X is for no publicity. That's simplicity.
Y is for Yvonne, got down to it fast.
Z is for Zoe. Ah, she's agreed at last!



Capability Red aprox 1980

Them

Note: This is an early poem of mine, dating back to 1971:





They arrived, but from where?
What once was London
now isn't there.
They just appeared,
from out of the sky.
Now they've gone,
I wonder why?


Capability Red 1971