Aldgate's Chosen Few

God, looked down upon Aldgate.

Dorniers, Heinkels and Messerschmitts saw bombs drop endlessly upon Aldgate.

Windows broken, steamed and cloudy,
dark satanic curtains hanging dowdy.
Split paintwork just left to rot,
a kitchen table with a cracked formica top.

The evil casting shadow of an ageing beam,
with clouds of smoke rising in between,
some guy looking cold in an Irons scarf,
this must be; the other half.

It's a shame that Charlie isn't here,
the lesson to learn is pretty clear.
All shapes and sizes, all points of view,
a long distance lorry driver looking for someone new.

Just to make the night complete;
the stripper didn't show her face,
let alone anything else,
this really was bad taste.

Half empty glasses quickly whisked away,
by the staggering tramp who can't afford to pay.
And I ask myself: "am I a piece of shit?"
If my Mother saw me now, would she feel sick?
I can't really apologize because these things I do,
I'm just spending an evening with Aldgate's chosen few.


Capability Red aprox 1982

At Home in the Breeze-block Palace

She'd never heard of the 'Falklands',
now she wished she never had,
as time and hope are running out
and things are looking bad.
It wouldn't even matter,
if Johnny was still on the dole,
how could joining up redeem
the money that he stole,
from his Father's breeze-block palace?

He'd listened to that young lady,
in her hat of well tempered felt,
she was only a probation officer
but his heart began to melt.
He joined the Royal Navy
to prove he was a man,
and now his Mother weeps for him
as only a Mother can,
at home in the breeze-block palace.

An MOD announcement boasts:
"invasion has begun"
Oh! let the dead and injured heroes
be somebody else's sons.
But when this war is over
and Johnny comes marching home,
we'll give to him everything he wants
so he'll never have need to roam
away from the breeze-block palace.


Capability Red 1982

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............

The Breaking Down of Bernard

This is the breaking down of Bernard:

The fascia glows for all to see,
sombre spirits run bewildered.
Bernard resents his therapy.

Mother's in the corner, knitting to the wireless,
drop one, pearl one. She really couldn't care less.
She always made sure that her fledglings read their bible.
But Bernard grew up a teenage bone idle.

Act one, scene two. Bernard going down the pub:
The expanding skyscape of improving machinery,
is it exciting? or nauseating scenery?

Dull curtains glow in tower blocks high, concealing;
stubble, boredom and collars and ties.
working class fathers signing open cheques,
just to receive their daughter's respect.

Sister's got a good job working in the City,
see's little of the family, more's the pity
Bernard kicks an empty lager can.

The pub is half empty, a sign of the recession,
but no sign of his pals, man what depression.
Bernard sups a terminal pint to quench his terminal thirst.
This infuriating ailment seems only to get worse.

This is the breaking down of Bernard.

Bernard overhears a private conversation,
they're analysing pay and the current situation.
It seems they're not frightened of being overheard,
But Bernard only catches every other word.

Working normal hours? very inconclusive,
Bernard stands alone at the bar, looking unobtrusive.

It's as well he's not involved, he wouldn't know what to say,
Bernard thinks there are twenty four 'normal hours' in every working day.

This is the breaking down of Bernard.

Slip out around ten thirty, to catch the last bus.
But he finds the service is cut. In whom do we place our trust?
What are our leaders' fantasies? Thinks Bernard as he hurries home.
On a cold January night he finds comfort in being alone.

This is the breaking down of Bernard.
The message is clear for us to see.
Sombre spirits reign triumphant.
Bernard resents his therapy


Capability Red aprox 1986