redness


i hate these cigarettes
they remind me of you
but i still smoke
while your memory’s true
i don’t like to drink
it’ll bring back your face
i’ll take a shot
just in case

and this goddam shirt
which still doesn’t fit
that i have to put on
(you liked it)
and the time you came
i sent you away
i’ll try to get past that
but not today

the oversized jacket
that i liked to wear
is a symbol of something
i don’t often share
your brilliant smile
like the best crescent moon
isn’t going anywhere
soon

that singular night
and its passion play
still a beautiful memory
for which i’ll pay
i do and don’t miss you
regress, with regret
one more drink
one last cigarette…

you & i



i’ll stand here, in my skin
and you can take a shot
i’ll show you what’s within
and you can care; or not
i’ll sink below my sin
and you can book your slot
i’ll stick, then let it spin
and you will run to rot

i’ll wear your fits of fire
and only you will burn
i’ll call me ‘pariah’
and then, perhaps; you’ll learn
i’ll track your taut tripwire
and you can try to turn
i’ll be the help for hire
and you can yell, or yearn

i’ll laugh when tears are best
and you won’t understand
i’ll smile because i’m blessed
and you can bear its brand
i’ll cry; it’s not a test
and then you’ll feel the sand
i’ll plant beneath your chest
and that’s not what you’d planned

i’ll know when i am right
and you’ll just say that’s wrong
i’ll come for you at night
and you’ll hide in the throng
i’ll muddle black and white
and there’s where you belong
i’ll win this fetid fight
and say; you’re not so strong…

dare



am i here, or all sorts of anywhere?
should i trust, should i even care?
am i dust, finally laid so bare
too far, too near; all & nothing to spare

am i ruin, showing signs of wear?
could a cast or cure effect a repair?
am i wooing; or white from my shadows’ stare
could impasse or impure describe this affair

am i champion or chained to this chair?
would i to win, or be cautions’ compère?
am i known in a circle that’s built to share?
would my will be my worth, or just ‘au contraire’

am i something, or that which makes me swear?
should i heal while continuing to tear?
am i only small; yet the biggest scare?
i am me, i should be; i should see, should i dare…

7 in 10



it’s the loneliest existence
on the path of least resistance
they’re all saying ‘i hate you’
not enough to just berate you
strength lays behind a screen
yellows like to stay unseen
venom curdling and cloying
in the life that they’re destroying

everybody’s got a choice
and everyone should have a voice
let’s hope they’re feeling proud
when theirs get too fucking loud
there are places in this world
for all flags to be unfurled
while theirs flutter in their breeze
someone’s dying by degrees

we all like to look our best
so some dare the socials’ test
it’s a fickle forums’ stage
digitalis poisons page
heaven sent? or just hell bent?
with just a click, their comment’s spent
then, depending on the feeling
some are rocking; most are reeling

there are kinder ways to die
far finer ways to say goodbye
but that’s not easy to ignore
when wanker wolves are at the door
it isn’t sociable at all
to plot an innocents’ downfall
they’ve only just begun to live
yet, to you; it’s life they give

luckily, my old thick skin
doesn’t let the bastards in
but i know a vicious tongue
can be a yardstick for the young
hate is always going to be
a part of our society
unnecessary vitriol
will surely sink a sapling soul

what on earth is there to do?
with our ‘smart’ phones stuck like glue
you’re all better than the sum
of the targets you’ve become
trust someone; find strength to talk
leave them no weakness to stalk
they’ve bugger all on which to boast
and it’s themselves they hate the most...







Having watched the documentary by Jesy Nelson, the title here refers to the repulsive statistic that 7 in 10 teenagers have experienced some form of cyber bullying.
Not that she’ll read it, but that’s ok; this is for her, and for anyone that does read it that is experiencing, or has experienced, such life sucking hatred.
Just know that some of us are listening.

i hear you now



i listened to
the derring-do
you said would come
but fat to chew
plus nothing new
is quite the sum
and something said
inside your head
belies the way
that what comes out
leaves only doubt
and hell to pay

i thought the fear
would disappear
without much fuss
i realise
that i despise
you making us
i understand
we’re pressed and planned
to be like you
but what’s the point?
when you disjoint
what’s really true

i never pray
for how to say
to what’s not there?
i tend to feel
for all that’s real
and those who care
to hear your call
to give you all
that’s not for me
you’re too unkind
for me to find
some sympathy

you’d say i’m cold
or just too old
to learn new tricks
I’ve talked at night
to you, despite
your kills for kicks
there’s something wrong
with faith so strong
so take a bow
your silence shows
god only knows
i hear you now...






thanks to Jon & Vangelis for the title