Listening to John Cooper Clarke on Radio Manchester

              LISTENING TO JOHN COOPER CLARKE ON RADIO MANCHESTER

              Between calls I listen
              to the punk performance poet
              sucking up to Susie on her birthday.
              The John Virgo sound-alike
              punches a haiku
              that judders in the pocket jaws,
              rattles a 134
              with a non-stop verbal chant
              culminating on the ninth floor of a block of flats
              in an unfinished pink.
              Susie probes his romantic inclinations,
              keeps the unembarrassing interview on cue.

              © GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Oldham, 14th April 1988

Publication

1992 Krax (UK)