The Poetic Thing

THE POETIC THING

I would like to do the poetic thing
I would like to run naked into the sea
A symbolic cleansing of my filthy body
An act of simple ritual and pious purity
But I am afraid
Not of the devils of the deep
I cannot do it
for if I do
the law will nick me, lock me up
charge me with indecent exposure
And if I escape the law
the cold will get me,
lay me down in hospital
with double pneumonia
So I merely wash my hands
buy a peace offering
of fish and chips
and go home

© Gerald England

Composed: Flamborough North Landing, 9th June 1978

Publications

1981 DADDYCATION (Ashton under Lyne, New Hope International)
1999 The Affiliate (Canada)
1990 YOUNG MINDS (Hull, Psychopoetica)
1990 2nd Rapture (UK)
1990 Lucidity (USA)
1993 Pomes (UK)

Unexpected Return To The Bay

UNEXPECTED RETURN TO THE BAYI took you there before your time came
Already it was too late
You wrote of the life of it
and almost proved it true
But you got its name wrong
If it were only a name
my feet would be dry
I went today driven by forces
that took me angrily out of the house
I was halfway there before I knew
where it was I was going
I did not know it was so near
The sun was on its setting
The tide was on its turning
The sand I stood on was dry
As I turned to leave
the sea rushed forward
drowning my feet
Though I cannot ever escape from you
being in the sea and there remaining
I have found my dry land
and there have built my home

© Gerald England

Composed: Flamborough Head, 8th June 1978

Publication

2002 Poetry Chain (India)