Poems_1985-2011 by C Byrne

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Dampwaste Place(Poems 1985-2013ish)

by C Byrne

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Copyriht 2013 Christopher !illiam "ohn ByrneCompile# by $ll %s &anity Press 2013

P'blishe# 201

Contact cwbyrne (at) aol #ot com

Co*er Photo by C Byrne

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Table of ContentsBioraphy+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++3$c,nowle#ements++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Poems+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Biography

C Byrne was born in $l#ershot. /ants. in 193+ /e is a ra#'ate o the ill'strio's ni*ersity o

/'mbersi#e. which le# to him bein hea#-h'nte# or his irst ra#'ate ob on the pro#'ction lineor 4la#e air resheners at "ohnsons !a6 in 7rimley+ /e also lost a lot o hair rom his hea#(possibly #'e to the chemicals in the air) while he was there+ /is pse'#obiorapher consi#ers thaton relection. he was not so m'ch hea#-h'nte# as scalpe# or this position+ 'c,ily. he soon ma#ehimsel s'rpl's to temporary stain re'irements there by tal,in too m'ch+

/is o'rnalism an# creati*e writin has been p'blishe# here an# there. incl'#in :he "o'rnal o;iet

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Acknowledgements

:han,s to my >'m. Da#. sister. 'ncles. rien#s. m'sical collaborators (especially Bl'oot orhelpin et the ball rollin) an# anyone who has enco'rae#. s'pporte# or e# bac, on my wor,+:han,s to the rien#s rom whom % learnt m'ch abo't the arts an# c'lt're (Da*i# $,ass. e*in>atthews. Darren 7lic,er amon others) an# anyone who enero'sly share# their m'sic collectionswith me+

% wo'l# li,e to than, my ?nlish teacher Carol @oers (her marrie# name at the time) at =alesianCollee. 7arnboro'h especially or enco'rain me as well as ,eepin me on my toes in my 4C=??nlish it an st'#ies (ne*er nee#e# to ta,e it any 'rther ) + ='ice to say. % probablywo'l#nt be writin poems now i she ha#nt entere# my poem in a local poetry competition an#won a pri

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For the muses (SE, SP, TC, FC, P and those whose names I never knew or just forgot)

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Poems

Tunisian Holida

:he irl #ance# the ho,ey co,eyBeore smo,in a a=he ob*io'sly wante#:he best o both worl#s

!""# Pie$es%

:he worl# is now almost silent+:e6t messae on my phoneG!itho't n'ance or e6pression%tHs har# to lower the tone

?moticons - % con emote#&ia paper in a pieonhole &alentineHs Day I95%tHs #iic'lt when yo'Hre emotin in a new lan'ae% canHt thri*e witho't tal, o i*e

:he worl# will soon be silent>e#ia. machinery ma,es all the noise:he streets are all now all ille# with cars!here irls an# boys neihbo'rs annoye#

Jten in the social spaces

%tHs seems that theyHre #esine#:o be 'se# by people!ho #onHt ha*e comm'nication in min#

o'# noise in p'bs an# cl'bsCan mean imae is almost all@appers battle an# people meet on the netDeathly. still in the 'rban sprawl

:ryin to comm'nicate nat'rallyKo' can become perple6e#

:his isnHt a holy boo, b'tL% am become a te6tM

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&ight

Do yo' come here otenG% ,now yo're clean 1

Do yo' come here otenG$re yo' hip with the sceneGDo yo' come here otenG% ,now ma# Barrys with a sheenDo yo' come here otenG!e ishy li,e Paciic sar#ineDo yo' come here otenGCan % nic, some nicotineGDo yo' come here otenGCan yo' see a smo,e machineGDo yo' come here otenG

4i*e that irl a tanerineDo yo' come here otenGDo yo' wanna li*e a #reamGDo yo' come here otenG% li,e the liht when yo' beamDo yo' come here otenG$re yo' hip to my schemeGDo yo' come here otenGKo' liht the woo# when yo' beamDo yo' come here otenGDo yo' wanna orm a teamGDo yo' come here otenG% #onHt li,e them c'star# creamsDo yo' come here otenG% tell the tr'th i #artameanGDo yo' come here otenG%Hm #e*iatin rom the meanDo yo' come here otenG% co'l# start to li,e ro'tineDo yo' come here oten+++

S$aling 'ers &o$ks (!"")

Bloo# #iamon#s #rippin rom my nec, an# wrist%tHs har# to see thro'h yo'r roste# ice. snow an# mist=heHs showin o her roc, li,e it means somethin%t co'l# be a cola rin-p'll or a piece o strinL?ternity rins are or when yo' et eterne#M -:hatHs a lesson in lo*e that % ha*e learne#De Beers mar,etin man set in stone - itHs tr'e:hat % wor, or 2 months to say with metal an# stones % lo*e yo'

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&o$kist (!""ish)

%Hm e*er so tire# o this too borin roc,$ *essel o shit commonly ,nown as a croc,

$cco'ntants chane into "ohnny :h'n#ers in the toilets at 5 oHcloc,Ko' n "aer werenHt born in a crossire h'rricane so stopKo'r m'sic re#eines writers bloc,:he only pop hit %Hll i*e yo' is with my poetical 4loc,>'sical tho'hts an# mo*ements li,e a ner*o's tic toc% wo'l# li,e to see yo'r trib'te banne#:he in o @oc,s throne into lan#ill>onster o @oc, rom the #epths o the ochKo'r chee,in in ton'es am'ses the loc,Ko'Hre so t'rtley (sic) moc, % ha*e to moc, an# s'blimate my stropKo' ainHt str'ttinH li,e :yler str'ttinH li,e "aer

>ore li,e a sla'htere# t'r,ey coc,nown by >Di&*y irls rom !a,eiel# to Ban,o,Ko'Hre so pre#ictable itHs always a proo'n# shoc,:ryin to ly away rom a *ery #ry #oc,=tranle a =tranler so'n#aloo,ali,e #eormin my ears li,e =poc,/o6ton an# =hore#itch the new c'lt'ral ?astern bloc

Cretan

>y oracle "onathan Cainers 's'ally eel oo# horoscopeP'ttin me in ear o my lie on one #ayost in the labyrinth o >alias shanty town strip!atch the irl ,ic,-start her scooter in heels:he bar co*ere# in lames4ettin my han# cr'she# by the emale >inota'r(Part man. part b'll. an# all monster)$t aro'n# brea,ast time at the 2 ho'rs bar7rien#s #isappearin o't in the seaDown the roa# rom the #eath shrine!al,in amon the r'ins o r'ins$n# 's waste# Brits on the piss ret'rnin *ia %ra,lion

&isitin the n'rsery o a #ea# 4o# - another ather o 4o#s an# men?ales circlin in the s,y?atin a >cDonal#s on o'r irst niht o't:o warm o'rsel*es 'p or some Broninoan hih c'lt're

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Sk low (*ased on +hen -ou ish u.on a Star+ * /eigh Harline and 0ed ashington)

se# to wish 'pon a star;ow % cant see where they arese# to wish 'pon a star as #reamers #i#

iht poll'tion spoils the niht?lectric lihts are shinin brihtse# to wish 'pon a star as #reamers #o

2 million oil barrels e*ery#ay?'i*alent liht poll'tion in the =$se# to wish 'pon a star as #reamers #i#

iht trespasses in my room% was happy in the loomse# to wish 'pon a star as #reamers #o

% cant see the mil,y way=oon nihtll be brihter than #ayse# to wish 'pon a star as #reamers #i#

$nimals an# ecosystems aecte# by electric lihtDont cities loo, best at nihtGse# to wish 'pon a star as #reamers #o

:han,s po'rs lelectricitN>ars help 's war. rest an# playse# to wish 'pon a star as #reamers #o

inter

!arm memories o a lon time ao:he street scene resemblin a tablea'

!hiter than white silent niht low:emperat're m'st be 10 below=loshin thro'h the $rctic loe:he roa# salt is r'nnin low=li#in #own the street li,e its =,i# @ow$s % wal, in #o shitPast the bloo#stains in the snow

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&etrograde (0123)

$n ;O15 *ersion o a poem o mine that was p'blishe# in the "o'rnal o ;iety sister is ettin marrie#$n# mo*in to :'nbri#e !ells$n# are yo' well. my o*e.$n# are yo' well bac, to the ?meral# %sleE$n# % will o aain. my o*e.$ltho'h it were a 'st mistrialE

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Twittering

$llow the silencer to whisper the b'llets rom the machine 'n sotly!hile % catch a case allin rom the worl# trees l'ae caro'sel

:ryin to ar Pan#oraJily *eetable ats>o*e li,e the mil, tray hitmanCriss crossin bor#er linesBr'ise# by the lilyClean the pollen rom the scar

6ee.

% yo' are aonisinJ*er which #esiner e c'ps to b'y

:hen yo'r lie may be:oo 'llJ *anity$n# ri*olity

Smokin78

% am a proessor o social enineerin>y cis are my social toolbo6!o'l# yo' li,e a aG to a room o straners Q% come in peace?mbarrasse#. aw,war#G$n6io's. crac,e# a ba# o,eGiht 'p a aE!ant to loo, enero'sGJer e*eryone a ciarette%m ne*er alone!ith my 20 =tran#s:ryin to loo, sophisticate#G!ant to meet more peopleG=:$@: =>J%;4E

!ant @ebel een# >ysti'eG=mo,e >arlboro @e#s!ant to be a s'permo#elG=mo,e Bro 4ol#s!ant to be a tr'e playerG=mo,e Camels

ell

% #i# not play mysel in

B't % ma#e three appointments at the #entistJn the o chance:hat % wo'l#

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6own 5emor /ane

=ome o the win#ows/a*e a rose tint

:he roa# is cobble# with millstonesDown short-term memory lane:here is a pothole

5anners

% was 'ietly pic,in my nose$n# ot a ba# reactionDo they react so stronly!hen they see thins that are really #is'stinG

(Her) Presents

% % was a poet% wo'l# say that the only thin that yo' can chane is the present

;ot the 't're or pastB't that is not tr'e:here is no receipt or proo o p'rchase as$ll presents are i*en$n# we recei*e the presentB't that is not the same thin as ate:he har#est thin in the worl#%s sometimes the m'sic stopsKo' et e6cite#$n# yo' ha*e to pass the parcel

;o one orces yo' toKo' 'st ha*e to let o%t is har#er i it is yo'r birth#ayJr it eels li,e it is%t is #iic'lt when it is a mystery pri

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Port

%n a port thins come an# o%n a port some thins ne*er ret'rn

%n a port yo' eel the rain more%n a port some people are col#%n a port there are #ar, cocoa mills%n a port there are bettin shops%n Porta,abins by the #oc,s%n a port there are many boats an# aces%n a port there is always somethin ishy%n a port thins cant stay the sameChoon9

Cars o by/issin with the so'n# o ampliie# hi-hats=ome sli#e by li,e rattle sna,esJthers so'n# li,e #o#y ,ettles

:%S%;%P

%# li,e to be the writer type!ith a clic, clic, typewriter% wo'l# ha*e to smo,e a pipe$n# reliht it with a lihter% wo'l# #rin, blac, coeePon#erin . scratchin my bear#%# et bran#y rom the oy$n# people wo'l# say /es weir#E

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Centre of the

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&owhill

% li,e to play on wor#si,e they are bla#es o rass%n a iel# on a s'nny #ay

% #o not 'se artiicial ertiliser on my wor#s"'st p're b'll shit

=ust ords

=he is one hell o a woman=he only calls me on pay#ay=he is a harpy%n /arpicJne l'tter o her eyelashesCan ca'se a torna#o on the other si#e o the worl#

=he is a sirenBlarin in my ear=he i*es me the best e*ils that % ha*e e*er seen=he ets me in hot water:hen ha'ls me o*er the coals=he lares #aers at me:hen throws ,ni*es at me=he blee#s me astray=he has sna,e hips on the #ance loor=he is not alleric to ca*iar or champane=he li,es to piss on my bonires (literally)=he li,es to rill me abo't e*erythin that % #o an# sayJ*er a low lame=lowly

Provisional Poeti$ /i$en$e

% ha*e passe# the theoryB't not the practical% ten# to loo, in the rear *iew mirror too m'ch% am not oo# at rea#in the sins an# sinals

:he ast lane is sometimes too ast or me% ha*e blin#spots in my win#screen as well% am not oo# at in#icatin4i*in way or racin>'sic #istracts my concentration% wear a seatbelt% seem to #ri*e better on my own

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Ees

/er eyes are one bi 'estion%n them % thin, % can see my 't're amily tree

/er eyes lash li,e a lihtho'se:hat #ras me towar#s the roc,s=he is my p'pil #ilator=he ma,es me want to #ie later% am ne'rotransmitten

Pu*999

%n the !heatshea% can (pic, my nose)B'rp

7art an# spit%n a snoo

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% hesitantly as,e#?rm can % borrow a penG:he oicer yawne# an# threw me a biro% sine# my liberation:he war#er #rew a lareB'nch o ,eys rom his poc,et

/e strolle# 'p to the main #oor:he ,ey sli# into the slot$s the war#er hea*e# open the iant #oor:he oints roane# 'n#er the strain!ell then =ir+ ets not be seein yo' aainE% wal,e# o't% was ree:he #oor slamme# behin# me>y ba at my eet% loo,e# aro'n#>y. how the worl# ha# chane#

/al o my lie waste#By some mans lie:he s'n shone thro'h the electric ence% co'l# see the sha#ow o the barbe# wireJn the concrete roa# beore me!hat #i# % ha*e to bac, toG

;othin>y parents #ie# 20 years ao$ cool win# blew on my ace% t'rne# 'p my collar$n# s'n, my han#s #eep into my poc,ets% pic,e# 'p my ba rom my eet% elt li,e rilin a telephone bo6=o % co'l# o home

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Pinned

% am pinne# to this place% am pinne# to this ace% am pinne# to this race

% am pinne# to #israce

% ha*e sinne#% am pinne#

% am pinne# to yo'r #oor!hile % am pinne# to the loor% am pinne# by my ame% am pinne# to my name

% am pinne# to my laws

%*e been pinne# here by the laws% am pinne# by my pain% am pinne# to the ame

>y eyes are pinnin:he worl# is not spinnin7or me

&adude

%m in e6treme sports ear:o o #own the p'b%n combat tro'sers:o play ;inten#o%m wearin r'nnin shoes:o wal, #own the roa#$n# in cyber 'n#ies:o #o the washin 'p

Statement

% #o not write 'rban hymnsB't pro*incial poems

Statement !

% am la# that% #o not write war poems!hether commissione# by :he 4'ar#ianJr not>any war poets$re real

Poets on the 'n#erro'n#

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Sim.le Pleasures 're Free>

Does he re'larly eat chocolateG4et to watch the sil*er screenGDoes he re'larly eat chocolateG=how his ace on the cl'b sceneG

/as he chec,e# o't the :ate >o#ernG!ith the same passion he chec,s :escos wasteGon#on or all yo'r leis'reKo' may repent at haste+

Does he li,e to browse in !aterstonesGChec, o't the latest (chocolate) barGDoes he re'larly eat oo#G/e has no home. ob or car+

'.art

:here is a manp in the s,y/ea# in the clo'#s%n that crane

/e has rien#s at wor,B't he #ont ,now:heir s'rnames

=ourne

Jn the way home"'st let wor,!al,in into6icate# in the early ='mmer e*enin=eein 2 a#oine# concentric rainbows$s,e# an ol# man i he co'l# see it/e sai# yes$n# i % remember rihtly/e inorme# me he ha# been to the en# o a rainbow

J*er there too

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'*ove

!e wal,e# in silenceJ*er the well-chosen $#olphe$ bri#e o charmBac, to the station

&ertio an# other thins hea*y/ea#e# or the other si#e%nto the abysmal7allin li,e a >ary hail=tone thro'h to a statistic

:'rn bac, to lieBac, to reality:ry an# in# a reason to li*e rom the same:he laborio's maic o lea# into ol#

Chaste

J*er the e#ei,e the hot heroine on a piece o oili,e a o6 with "ac, @'ssells #own into its hole%n a corneri,e theres a price on my hea#!ith hellho'n#s eyes #ar, in the #istance behin#i,e %m r'nnin rom the eion with a 'ni,e a co'rt poet

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/earning Poetr

Jn @e*er#ie

?arly eno'h in the mo'rnin% *ent're# o't or a ramble%n a orein place % lai# #own by a ri*er or a rest7ell asleep$n# saw $islin aain8 to years later in :'bber :intye% soon remembere# what % ha# spent to 8 years nearly to the #ay%n orettinJn a seat % sat me #own an# ha# a notion aain!e tal,e# abo't wor,. ice cream an# *omitin:all pretty women. $lpha males an# merry ma,in

:he reen. enes an# se6'al harassment in the wor,place%mae an# metaphor bl'rre# in the ale o re#isco*ere# eelins$shtray in the hea#. % boaste# to my eos #iscontent!ith the special. romantic *alo'r that consists in ihtin or lon lost ca'ses!hile she con#'cte# hersel with mai#enly mo#esty$s % san !ho the 'c, is $liceG into the niht% pitche# my sale$n# she smac,e# it bac,% as,e# mysel in won#er!hether she was a 4ree, o##essJr some other antastical i're=e*eral possibilities % liste# in my min#=he intimate# that she was no s'ch creat'reB't. instea# simply RireJr maybe 'st the eternal rewar#s o nat're. sprin. an# lo*e!e wal,e# in the stream toether?*erythin lowe#?*en the b's #ri*er ha# to ac,nowle#e it% sai# to her. =tic, with me 7iona. an# yo'll o a lon way+++

;ot 'st on p'blic transport(!hich >arcel #oesnt thin, is a oo# line)

:wirlin thro'h the #i

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Homesi$k

=ic, o the sic, o the sic, in the street

=ic, wal,in 'n#er r'bber treesJ*er open #rains with oo# or water poisoninJr in ?'rope in the snow!ith o*er-salte# c'isineJr 'st sic, o school #inners anywhere%ll soon et the sac, or lea*e4oo# e6c'se to come bac,:he o'r seasons or sometimes two/appy to see sa# aces aain on the street>issin yo'r ace>issin this place

%m missin when %m one away=ic, when % o=ic,er when % stay

Cra9 Paving

% pa*e# o*er my ar#en$n# soon the sinin stoppe#a

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&adiohead

@esistin

%n a persistent&eetati*e=tate$ppalle# ironic paralysis

Promise

i,e a spee#in car #ri*erJn the irst #ay o s'mmer!hen the oil rises 'p rom the tarmac%ll be comin bac, to yo'

Colla*orative Poem From ' Toilet 6oor In /ondonby *ario's anonymo's a'thors+(s'pporte# by on#on $rts Co'ncil an# the ;ational ottery+)

>y arse sins li,e a b'tterc'p%t warbles in the niht$n# when it #rops its little loa#>y les m'st ta,e to liht

5mmm

@e# p'##in toniht$nel Deliht7l'y mash in the s,y=hepher#s Pie

&oll

=ometimes it eels li,e

!ere ballroom #ancin%t seems %m only here:o ma,e yo' loo, oo#

Tortured 'rtist in Isleworth

&an 4oh also li*e# here

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So$iet

Ko' were ree p'blicity

:here was no spar,$part rom that o me#ia interest:he only thins that clic,e#!ere the photoraphers cameras% #i# not ha*e m'ch to say to yo'B't % ha# somethin to sell

5 Stlist

% o to Barry$t :oni an# 4'ys in @ichmon#

:o et a re'lar sprin,leJ #esiner #an#r':o create the ill'sion that% am a mere mortal!ith the rest o h'manity

The 4ig Turd

Jn the e#e o a bi nothin=pace to ill:ime to ,ill?*eryone wants to loo,=ome nee# to be seen

6ead 'rtist% 5odern 'rt

% am o't o copyriht%*e still ot loa#s to say% am o't o copyriht$n# there is no one let to pay

E?tra$t from 6issertation '$knowledgements

+++;o than,s to a certain ast-oo# resta'rant in $l#ershot. /ampshireor many ho'rs o m'ch perspirationan# rational b'rea'cratic e6ploitationor a *ery miserly rem'neration

b't than,s *ery m'ch or the inspirationan# insi#e inormationor this #issertation in#epen#ent st'#y+

:han,s to my ellow crew members there or the o## moments otranscen#entale6istential

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elationan# 'bilation+++

4ullshit (6edi@ue a tous .oetes%)

% #o not et shitace#

Pisse# 'pJr hammere#% am an artist:oo e6'isitely sensiti*e or the worl#% see, to e6plore the e6tremitiesJ the h'man con#itionBoo

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@eebo, Classics ootprints are now more oten o'n# in7orensic e*i#ence than $ir >a6

4land

%n the ,in#om o the blan#

:he person with a non-ear piercin is (shoc),in:he man with a come#y tie is "oe in$n# the man with a "amiro'ai CD is 'n(,in)

6reams

% want to be a c'lt a'thor%m oin to shoot my wieDrin, mysel to an early ra*eDo #r's man:o pro*i#e *icario's thrills

7or comm'ters on the train

Clu**ing in 'ldershot% Shite

$s the #eeay piles p're piano t'naJn har# cheeseba en#lessly$nybo#y who is nobo#y!ill soon wal, thro'h that #oorie is not har# in here"'st a lot o it is para traine#>aor str'ct'ral #amae is bein inlicte# 'pon the premisesBy the mattress bac,s(;ot m'tton #resse# as lambB't oal pac,ae# as m'tton)!a##lin in time to the bi n'mbas%t eels li,e the roo is abo't to ca*e in>y #an#r' is lowin 'n#er the & lihtJh the lamo'r

Talk of the Town

% was once an eliible bachelor;ow % am an illeible ol# bachelor;ow % am more Debenhams:han #ebonair% 'se# to be enimatic

;ow % listen to ?nima

Phart

% am so mo#ern% listen to post roc,

% li,e post ironic h'mo'r% 'se post sha*e balm% hot-#es, in a post oice

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>y post is #eli*ere# by the @oyal >ail

4randed

Baptise# in the :& channel

=tyle-presse#i,e a inerbrea# man!ith a bisc'it c'tterPinpointe# by mar,et research$s taretKo'th mar,et

;i,e tattooe# on my chestCatchy inle on my min#!hen % blin, % see neati*esJ cola loos an# ol#en arches!e ple#e alleiance

:o the swooshJr stripesConspic'o's cons'mption has #i'se#:hro'h my pores:he bran#/as place# its han#sJn me

Auestion

Do smart bombs!rite anthems7or #oome# har#ware$n# sotwareG

Auestion999

$m %ost in the a'tomatismJ the hypnotise# corporeal

Jr o my n'tJn hal a paracetamol$n# a *i*i# imaination

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&etrograde

% am the spirit o retro yo'th c'lt're

$ cost'me# crisis li*in in a cost'me #rama% am the process o what was cool@eachin room temperat're% li*e in in*erte# commas%n a sel-impose# cartoon% am e6citement or those who li,e ro'tine>y re*i*al is res'scitation=milin ,nowinly=arcasticallyCynically=atirically

%ronically:o#ay is o little *al'e% preer the oo# ol# #ays beore % was born% #eny the creati*e possibility o yo'n bloo#Jr am % 'st ancy #ress or a ar too serio's worl#G

I$e Cream Cone

p shit cree,!itho't a boat!ith concrete soc,s on% see alliators+++Jr are they croco#ilesG

;de To Chi.s

:ho' art #i*ine

/ines on rinkles

!hen yo' are yo'n

Ko' try to in# yo'rsel!hile yo'rsel is in#in yo'Ko' #o what yo' are tol#$n# also 'st #oKo' are only yo'n once=o that one #ay yo' can row ol#B't we are not born warm7or 's to row col#

Iff

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% this poem was a pop son%t wo'l# ha*e a pro#'cer%t wo'l# ha*e strins$n# be an instant classic%t wo'l# ha*e crashin cymbals$n# th'n#erin ,ettle #r'ms

(% 'se cle*er symbols)%m oin to #o a co*er *ersion o some other writers poetry:o et my name ,nown

5ekon

% % was a ilm starPeople wo'l# still sayKo'*e ot a bi hea#$n# % wo'l# ha*e to e6plainCinema proection to them

0orman

!hen the s,y is yo'r oyster:he worl# is yo'r limit

P6F

Ko' can rea# me li,e a boo,%t elt li,e yo' crac,e# my spine!hen % leant yo' my #o ear?*en tho'h yo' spellbo'n# me well% m'st ha*e been well coo,e#Ko'r plot was to stew meKo' threw the boo, at me too$n# yo' saw riht thro'h me!hen % trie# to ta,e a lea o't o yo'%*e ot woo# worm

;ew tomes an# scrolls=wallowe# an o*er#ose o wa6 tablets$n# yo' lea*e me

=t'c, an# atherin #'stJn the shel%n yo'r ba# boo,s

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'BE

%*e allen or yo'>'st ha*e bane# my hea# or somethin

issin the concreteProne%m still ree7allin #own>y hea# is in the clo'#s>y wins are eral pieon eathersDrippin warm wa6Catchin ire$n# my ol#en parach'te #oes not wor,%m lappin my bare arms:heres no-one to s'e

%ts ot to be one inch or more=eems % was str'c,By a th'n#erbolt rom C'pi#s crossbow% too, the all%m eelin scrape# 'pC't an# sore$ stone into a well%m slippin. trippin an# sli#in%nto the riht crow#%t #oesnt seem li,e an acci#ent

Tra.. 6as

:heres snares an# ,ic,s:rappe# by cheeseCats pray on the mice/earin sirens in the trap=ome sna,es rat on #os:anle# 'p in the trap7ell or the bait an# real #in=in,in li,e %m in 'ic,san#

Been #own since the #awn o crac,$n# the walls are closin in/eart tic,s li,e a loc,!rappe# in the trap=inin in a mo*in sea o ,eys!in#ows wi#e open b't wire# sh't:rap ot a rip li,e the aws o a *ice

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0o Title

% come to con'er

% will tra*el o*er seas to yo'r treachero's shipwrec, coastClimb the s'ici#e cliJ the wil# west o yo'r rebel co'ntyCome hell or hih water:o loo, or only the best in lieBetween the #e*il an# the #eep bl'e sea$ll or nothinost 'ntil yo':a,e what is mine

;o permission so'ht/ostile resistance is 'ltimately 'tile

!aitin or a s'staine# lapse o treasonKo'r irresistible obect will meet my immo*able orce!ith an 'psi#e #own la in the earthBleache# o't by s'n an# rainDr'n, on o'r lethal coc,tail?6plo#in in my ace!aitin or yo' to lea*e me to my own incen#iary #e*ices:a,e yo'r castle:a,e yo'r peace%ts my 4o# an# S'een-i*en man#ate to r'le>y s'periority$n# yo'r #'ty to comply capti*ate# in my plantation% come to amiliarise an# learn o the e6otic an# 'namiliar=ow my castaway rape see# in yo'r lowers be#s$n# process the oil4i*e yo' a smallpo6 han#,erchie to wipe away yo'r tearset yo' et to rips with my mo#el railwayBrin liht to the #ar, by litin yo'r *eilose yo'r i#entity7i6 yo'r reality>ap yo'r 'ncharte# reions an# oceans

!ith my awareness o the ?arths s'race:o ,now yo'r conto'rs an# the lies o yo'r lan#&is'ally separate Lyo'M an# LmeMCi*ilise lo*e 'n#er my smallpo6 blan,et!hile % intro#'ce new #isease:each the lan'ae o s'ccess$n# tame

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Stri. 5ining

%n the re# liht #istrict she as,e#!hy #ont yo' b'y yo'rsel a leshlihtG% sai# it wo'l# be li,e a#mittin #eeat% was realisin #espite how she may chaneJn the nymph - crone contin''m/er liht wo'l#nt/er type is scarce on the earths s'race=o % as,e# her to marry meDi#nt et an answer=ilence. imp're air an# moonliht mere# in my min#

:he ne6t #ay % trie# to ollow her a#*ice an#:al,e# abo't the hyper-inlate# set price o an enaement rin$s #eine# by #iamon# mar,eteers

Ears=,al#in col# blac, water/eral#in a time lowin bac, into the Blac,waters/'ntin or an important ancestor:his time alon Da#s line$rme# only with an eo$ ba o r'bbish$n# a ly in the nose o $rth'r !ellesley:he rain #rops on the can*as o'tsi#e=o'n#in li,e the machine 'ns o*er the common

/oarsemen #ancin to their own apol,aloops$ll too common as ol# >iss spellin o't theC'rses o @athlin an# elsewhere

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Jr 'st ba# l'c, o the $nlo-%rish/is trees hi##en an# his lan#4hosts o a ;orn iron 4est?y. bre# 'n#er ;orman yol,sG=ol#iers. holy men. writers an# politicians=ir names. ;orthmen an# n'rses

Bear#e# la#ies an# aeries$ll is 'll o lo*e an# war7royle# aain on 7ri#ayil or# Ba# >acbreth"'st tryin to li*e li,e a @a,e o >allow!as the (Protestant) man rom the bi ho'se who ha# a relationship with a ser*ant.then was cast o't o his amily anythin more than a storyG

;o =ancho. no @o

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Dances an# #'nces/ol#in a can#leCreatin an# b'rnin at the same time!hat seems li,e (to me). at least many>illions o tiny #iamon#s e*ery secon#$s % et on yo'r wic,

:ryin to become a manPlayin o't to low away%nto the sha#eJ the pri*ate woo#lan#s o Dampwaste PlaceBlows an# lancesChoppe# #own aainBrinin #eath to lie$n# lie to #eathosin my *oice:he hoarse has bolte#osin a loan

Dyin to li*e:'rnin aain:o the careless irl in the water mea#ow:rie# to rab her arse an# ot ,noc,e# o'tCol#/it my hea# on the orbi##en r'it machine on my way #own:o the 'n#erworl#$ #oor yo'$ trap #oor on the worl#s stae7or my solo:eleportation transportation=t'c, yet spinnin4oin to wor, on a lost lotoc,e# o'toc,e# in to yo'r rea, !incey!hether Posei#eon or, arse#Jr ac,in a bean=tal, yo'r harbo'rJil the #oor posts o hea*ens ar#en ate with wol or boar at:'rn rom white to crimson!on#erin alon. breathin an#

4rowin in the #ar,yin o't o reach or sec're war#sost mysel bac,wor#sJnwar#s an# 'pwar#s in the bac,woo#s

;ot or i*in nor ettin!or#s are stillbro,en (no typo):ryin to ma,e maical l'tes rom the hea#$n# a shiel# or ne6t time$s % loat alon the ri*er with a son!in# whistlin with me thro'h the treetops?*ery story seems to be abo't me

:allesin tol# it wellKo' sent me a te6t on =,ype:o let me ,now yo'r stat's will always be a way

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%n yo'r photos yo' are small an# ar awayJn the phone yo' are ar away an# almost nearby%n person yo' are lie-siy U200 ine rom the ta6man was later re#'ce# to

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:oage

%m sittin waitin on a =o'th !est :rain

Ko' can spoil yo'r #ay i orce# to constantly complainCant open the win#owCant 'se the loo:he air con#itionin@ecycles smells o poo?*eryones rea#in or sh'ttin their eyes!e*e all been m'e# o%ts simple an# plain%*e been rippe# o aain:o no s'rpriseKes - %*e been rippe# o

%n epic style7ace# with this ansterish cartel$ll % can #o is smile@o'n# here the same company r'ns the b'ses$n# r'ns the trains!hat oo# #oes it #o me to complainG

Su..li$ation

Be my trophy wie(%*e alrea#y p't yo' on the pe#estal)%ll ne*er lea*e yo'Jn the shelJr loc,e# in the basement%ll impro*e on my #'stin s,ills$n# polish 'p my act?*ery#ay at the moment % eel li,e

:he hol#er o the =weet 7+$ c'p7or the recor# time7ore*er hal empty an# hal 'll% hope one #ay to pic, yo' 'p$n# raise yo' 'p in the air%ll bathe in yo'r relecte# loryCos or e*ery trophy there is a story

Sle* Tatt

%ts tr'e the 'estion can bem'se.

Di**y bir#s %m a##ressin yo'se%ts tr'e there are many more important thins happenin in the news%m searchin or some cl'es

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$n# hope %m not comin across as se6ist in my *iews>y p'rpose heres to #isab'se>aybe its a orm o socially acceptable sel ab'se.$ter con#'ctin my research there m'st be some e6c'se.%t ma,es sense to b'y loa#s o lotions. potions an# shampoos=pen# that money on nice boo

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$s the hills are #e*o're#Fan$ That

:he @'ssell 4rant wee,ly horoscope!as a sheet o newspaper 'n#er the m'##y shoes in the porch

>y horoscope ca'ht my eye?*ery time % too, my shoes rom or to the newspaper sheet$n# s'rely eno'h$ while later!as reprinte# in 'll%n the same newspaper/istory ha# repeate#$n# was to repeat itsel aain it seeme#Aui?oti$

=he strippe# me o my ,nihthoo#=he ha# the meas're o my tall tales an# lon stories:hen my war horse t'rne# pale an# ran away=he threw my me#allion into the ire pon#. #isappeare#$n# aban#one# me in my platin'm palace in the s'n

0oir

?*erythin is meas're#Bo6es o twenties an# 5cl o 0F4lasses twirl an# bottles smashe#B't where is the prooGPri*ate eyes l'r, in sha#ows$ blac, an# white copy o $merica$ *oice is o*er behin# the cameraPlot an# character e6aerates%n or#er to appeal to the emotionsDream ob actory blowin smo,e into yo'r eyes 2>oney is the ro'te o all e*il:he lihts are low or an 'nbalance# composition

Patri$k oods$!J rom the %rish $rmy:o tail 'nner or the ?nlish $rmy:hrowin yo'rsel o't o planes post-!orl# !ar 2:hrowin p'nches or sport in the army thenp an# #own la##ers cleanin win#ows in peacetime:o yo'r last #ays@ea#in the Bible to yo'rsel in townVoom bac, to yo'r yo'ner #ays>oonlit silho'ette on the ro'n# o a rile b'tt lyin behin# yo'

:'rn aro'n#"aw bro,en in sel-#eence@eimental sarent maor

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7or a while yo' seeme# to chane ch'rchesi,e some #o cars:he r'nner 'p in an all-$rmy bo6in to'rnamentKo' ta'ht ,i#s how to bo6 locallyKo'r son (who was ta'ht P+? by my #a#)

;ow teaches people how to r'n internationally

$n %rishman who (on acco'nt o his ewellery) was$t least once mista,en or a "ew by a Chilean woman:he story oes that yo' once bro,e someones rib4i*in them a warm h' in yo'r later years%# li,e to be remembere#:he way % remember yo'7'll o lo*e:he #einition o a Christian to me

Soft Shoes

% eel (alone it seems) that%n o'r tectonic relationship:he resonances o o'r harmonic *ibration:heir 'll ca#ence miht ca'se bri#es to ail% we crosse# them=o thats maybe why!e m'st wal, o't o step$n# r'n o't o time

/eft Hand Pathos

J'r 7ather:he con'sion starte#Jne #ay in i#yllic late 190s so'thern ?nlan#$t a Catholic inant school:he sinister >rs !illiams miht ha*e been to blame>aybe the act % cant recall her name%s 'st one o the symptomsJ the possible primary conse'ences o con*ertin han#e#ness(:hat o memory #isor#ers)%ncline# to be be slow

Jn a steep incline$s or the possible secon#aries(% mastere# oine#-'p at secon#ary):hey incl'#e #isor#ers in the personality proile.=hyness an# intro*ersion:hat teacher may be partially responsible or this attempt at a prose poemDeiance to bellierence an# braa#ocio:he pencil is mihtier than the pen an# swor#!hen ta,en rom the let an# p't in the riht han#Dr+ "ohanna =attlers research states that the con*ersion o han#e#ness #ri*es people:o contin'ally 'se at least 30F more enery to mobili

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(%m still tryin to establish the *eracity o these claims)=o thats possibly why% wont try to memorise this$n# recite it at a poetry niht=till reachin with the riht7eelins o ineriority to

/ail >aryE /es 'ite contrary:he lor# o his oppositional an# pro*ocational manorPoor co-or#ination o the shit!hats rihtG%ts wron!hats riht is not let!hats let is not 'ite riht>y riht to be let alone$s % always tol# my co'nsellor!hate*er the problem is(!as

Jr will be)%t is always someone (or somethin) elses a'lt!orl# witho't en#$menT:his poem only paints a pict're o the neati*e conse'ences o orcin someone to chane theirnat'ral han#e#ness+

lower $ase

i i ha# yo'r a##ressi miht ha*e sent yo' a present

i i ha# yo'r phone n'mberi miht ha*e i*en yo' acall

b't since all i*e otis yo'r lo'sy email a##ress

ill wish yo' happy birth#ay (an# thats all)+

The Soldier and the .s

/er earrins #anle# li,e r'it@ipe or the pic,in/e ha# his collar t'rne# 'p p'nct'ally/e was on a recce an# ha# his lon siht on her+$s she loo,e# away or him

=a##am a

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!as he a rahea# @'pertGJr 'st in the wa*y na*y:al, o port or the :'nisian %talian$s he ate a bi pi

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:hese lowers only 'lly open!hen in the s'n an# air:hese lowers are solitary+$n# at the en# o lon stal,s.% want yo' beca'se yo' want nothin

% nee# yo' beca'se yo' lac, nothin

2D#

%m 'st a 'n, oo# rapperBlown in the bree

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E.i$ &e$ords

Ko' i*e me the cripplin wea,nesses:o seas the strenth:o meas're the #istance:o o to the lenths

:his is a mo*ement$ wi#e an# lon *iew$lmost a son by me$ inite !an#erin "ew

DonHt ta,e my stories or symbolismKo' ob*io'sly aint be there%m b'il#in soli# o'n#ations

7or my castles in the air

:ry transorm attachments to ine eelins%ts easier written than #one:ry share a common interest!hen alls sai# an# shes Donne one

4ettin a rip:o the open han#:a,e an oice chair:a,in a stan#

>y heart beats li,e a b'tton@attle# in a collection tin=,ins 'st a separator4onna be 'st what has binne#

:wo swinin on the boat swin=inin rom a tree@hymin #ictionaries oer ew a#*antaes:o o*ere#'cate# petty bo'reoisie

:he lie r'ns all the way tooPara#ise is in near rane!al,in thro'h a *astness oPassin by the passin strane

>y British heart o'n#ation>'st be set in har#core or stonePenny or this 'y

;o =?J or pay#ay loans

Between the planetsn#er the planesBetween the ootstepsn#er the ol#en chains

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%t was so 'nny+ $n# it rhyme# as well!e ha# to as, him to tell 's it aain!e la'he# an# % learnt it by heart

:hat was what was memorable abo't the #ay;ot o'r car bein stolen

$l#eb'rh

Jne o @'pert >'r#ochs new poets/e ha# bas o Ce6 at the poetry esti*al=ome o his l'ae on the o'rney home!as in carrier bas rom the shop=ellin secon# han# *i#eo ames an# the li,e/e #i#nt li,e the accommo#ation m'ch/e was p't 'p in someones ho'se$n# ha# wo,en their #o in the niht

%nspiration

!here the empty b'ses #ri*e aro'n#4as lea,s months (yearsG) rom 'n#erro'n#Do owners #eile the nat're reser*e7ertile ro'n# to o*er-e my oe'*re

=+J+B+=

=hes rom the e#e o the earth%ts not the en# o the worl#$lmost the 'intessential !estern ?'ropean$n ol# worl#er:he salt o the earth7rom where roc,s brea, the ocean!ith omerta

Princesse ointaine

Days are lon li,e the o'rneys$s % wal, thro'h the aesKo' are not approachableBeca'se yo' are not hereBy the race o yo'r race=een yo' rom behin# many times%n my rear *iew mirror%n the hihway mirae>ist in the o%# lo*e to o or a wal, with yo' aain

ea*e the chaperone

Posterity

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% % remain obli*io's an# insensible ater % carc itPlease one #ay(Doesnt really matter when as lon at it prece#es the $pocalypse)P't me on a shelBetween B'rns an# Byron+

4oo# company or any aterlie somewhere between hea*en an# /'ll=ay my name riht;ot B'rns or ByronPlease pass me o*er to a rien#Dont pass me o*erPlease pass a bit o me aro'n# stilli,e ashes on the bree

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i thin, i was at the wheel

?6pat - /yena &ersion

Pay yo'r weih yo'r l'ae+

:oo b'r#ensome$ban#on:a,en on a new home4li#es across ?'rope$cross the bor#er that #oes not e6ist%n the co'ntry$n# ret'rne# home ater!orl#:ra*el to ininity!itho't a #estination+/owe*er. the boy 'ic,ly warp a boomeran+

:he con*enience o ho'se has come a lon way:etleys sweatin=till bitter ater all these airline miles+$ll the strane oreinerCan not remember bein on their ,nees+=croll #own in the 'ic,san#% ,now some people in# that on the 9th=i6 tho'san# miles awayBy acci#ent. while wor,in or the same company=hipwrec,:s'nami arri*es+:he #ay o yo'r trip+@et'rne# to clear% tho'ht % was the #ri*erT:ranslate# ?nlish X 7rench X :hai X?nlish by 4oole :ranslate

;ame

% tol# yo' what yo'r rien#s 4aelic name meant in ?nlishKo' ne*er ,new

% ne*er wo'l# ha*e ,nown it% %# ne*er met yo'

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4a$k Cover

&eviews for the author of this e*ook

LY a spoile# little mamas boy rom =o'thern ?nlan#+M- "im $n#erson. achristmaspast+blospot+com +

L+++ incline# to be slowM- >rs 7ernan#es. =t "osephs Primary =chool. $l#ershot.