Poems by the selectors for SOUTH 60
The poems for SOUTH are selected anonymously by guest selectors. We thank John Kay and James Manlow who selected the poems for this issue.
BIRD PEOPLE
Often in the wintering season
when creatures turn
again to the earth
and birds to the air for their long journeys
I think of people
who have come and gone in my life
and to what purpose now
was their anger perceived, my passion so selfish?
I have been the swift disappearing overnight
and the cuckoo laying love in another’s nest.
I have built and defended like the sand martin.
Now, where the swallows go
let such thoughts follow.
Loose the heart on its great migrations.
©James Manlow
INTERVIEW WITH A BREXITEER
They need us more than we need them, you know,
now make sure you get my Union Jack socks.
We’re British through and through, so let it show,
Let’s keep those johnny foreigners in tow,
send them all away then change the locks.
They need us more than we need them, you know.
They called us European, we said “no”,
we’ll never fit inside your Euro box,
We’re British through and through, so let it show,
We used to look down on those below,
till blighted by their European pox.
They need us more than we need them, you know.
And so we’re off, it’s finally time to go;
time to leave, no more infernal talks.
We’re British through and through, so let it show,
With borders shut, just watch how fast we grow,
like fine-tuned athletes quick out of the blocks.
They need us more than we need them, you know.
We’re British through and through, so let it show,
©John Kay