The option of silence is not an option
Binary selection is no choice at all
On or off, yes or no, right or wrong
To speak, or to be gagged
To write, or be hand-bound
I have found my voice and I WILL FUCKING USE IT.
Because keeping quiet, repressing my voice
Has done nothing for me but cut me through and through.
I am the commander of my ship
Defiant, charting new courses
Navigating where there be dragons –
Reptilian enforcers who have kept me quiet all these years
With fear, mistrust, self-doubt eating at my soul.
See the writing-covered wall and touch the sleeves dripping with my love’s desires.
This is what I offer – life in all its filth-encrusted glory
Blood, guts, dark corners and momentary shafts of light to illuminate the shadows.
So here it is, my statement of intent –
Write from the heart
Write with the soul
But above all,
Write.
This week, Gay, our host at dVerse Meeting the Bar wants us to write our personal manifestos – why we write, what threatens our writing and why we will continue to write against the odds.
I am the Dragon Gagger and so this is the name I have given my personal manifesto. Audio will follow later…
I hope you enjoy my offering – and please do join us! The hosts all work extremely hard to make the community a success.
They swagger, these gifts of the gods Draped in Savile Row Handmade brogues squeaking Signalling their advance Sleek terminals flashing green and red The latest billions to be made Orchestrated by one perfectly manicured digit A rarefied world, this domain of the trader Tiger women diluting the testosterone just enough To become the next female BSD. (I don’t have the balls In all senses of the word). They all walk and talk a good game Ride the highs and lows with aplomb Possessing animalistic grace, a certain panache Revelling in the glory, drowning the losses in Moët & Chandon Or inside their bonus-bought classic car Seats rubbed smooth with 90mph sex and cocaine Shagging the pressure away in a City side street. Rare beasts, these, Stalking, hunting down that one trade Chasing mammon, winner takes all But I wonder, when it comes down to it When I see those who drew the short straw Carrying their belongings in a cardboard box Incongruously shabby against their Cartier adornments Leaving their ivory tower for the last time Facing down the cameras as journalists hunt in packs Trading titillation for the headline news I wonder – do they think it was worth it, after all? Probably.
*****
This week, Brian, our host at dVerse Meeting the Bar wants us to consider character – something more akin to penning short stories and novels, rather than poetry. Fabulous! I love a challenge!
My take is all about that much-maligned character, the City trader. I have worked in the Square Mile since last century (no, really!) and have met and seen a few in my time. Some are as bad as the press paints them, many are not. All of them have guts, that’s for sure! I haven’t based my poem on anyone in particular – consider it an amalgamation of many traits I have seen (in traders and other types) over the years.
I hope you enjoy my offering – and please do join us! The hosts all work extremely hard to make the community a success.
Here’s my long-overdue return to dVerse Meeting the Bar. This week, Gay is asking us to write a song! Now that’s a poetry form that brings back strong memories for me – I immediately thought of my mum singing along to Steeleye Span’s ‘All Around My Hat’ as she did the housework, and being taken to a Chieftans’ concert (and falling asleep – aaah, I was only very young!). Folk music is something that my family really enjoys – there is even morris dancing going on too (my mum again, with my step-dad playing an important musical role too).
Suffice to say, I’m a fan of the old folksy ballad, singing of love, loss, pride and passion. So, here’s my attempt… It’s inspired by the centenary year of the Great War – the War to End All Wars (if only). It’s simple, yet I hope it works.
Do visit the other poets who take part in this wonderful community… you’re in for a treat! And do let me know what you think of my song.
*****
– My Man Joe –
My sweetheart Joe is big and strong With a twinkling eye and a ready smile He works on the railways all week long Just to buy me a posy on a Friday
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
My fiancé Joe cuts a fine dash Driving his engine through the valleys He collects his wages and gives me cash Just to buy me a dress for our wedding
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
My husband Joe is a fine, proud dad He plays with his boys on a Sunday He sings in church, gives thanks and is glad For his family, luck and fortune
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
My soldier Joe walks proud and tall Marching away to the trenches God bless my man! God bless them all! Please let him come back safely
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
My man Joe gave his life and soul On the far away fields of Flanders For my boys and me he’ll not grow old Nor ever be forgotten.
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
