Ann Frank

ANN FRANK

 You said you wanted to live
      after you were dead
 No-one can deny you have
 But did you really live before?
 You tell us more by what
      you do not say

 You were the schoolgirl
      who talked too much
 and justified herself
      by talking even more
 Always you justified yourself
 even when you knew yourself wrong
 At bottom, position counts

 How secret did you keep your diary
      in the Secret Annexe?
 The others knew of it
 Can any have read it?
 They threatened it when they thought
      the enemy threatened

 They must have come quickly
 for you in the end
 Neither you nor they
      destroying its evidence
 Only rescued even then
 by office cleaners

 Was she not right
 whose pessimism you so
      harshly criticised?
 And what was it cracked your spirit
      finally?

 Was it the death of your sister?
 Or the strain of two years
 living so closely with hatred
      among friends?
 Or losing the lover you had gained
 in spite of your self and his?

 You talked always of feelings
 now, and sometimes then,
 but hardly ever talked
      of after

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Ashton under Lyne, 4th April 1980

Publications

1988 New Wave (USA)
1992 STEALING KISSES (Hyde, New Hope International)
1999 The Animist (Internet)

Her Eyes

HER EYES

her eyes are the most beautiful eyes in the world
her eyes have seen the glamour of life
her eyes have seen the sordid seemy side
her eyes live in fear of life
her eyes live in hope for life
her eyes see without looking
her eyes talk too much
her eyes are two in number that is functional
her eyes cry saltwet tears
her eyes are happy laughing eyes
her eyes are the most beautiful eyes in the world

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Birmingham, 1st July 1972

Publications

1972 FOR HER VOLUME ONE (Pontefract, Poet's Press of Osgoldcross)
1972 Sonnet (UK)
1992 New Wave (USA)

Charade

CHARADE

           Life's mostly a game, said the poor man
That it is, said the rich man
           But I won in the end
Won ? But you are poor
I won  I am rich
           Ah alas how little you have read of the rules
           You are the one who lost
           I too have my riches
           and they are far greater than yours
I have credit in Zurich
           The Post Office cashes my cheque
I eat the finest venison of Europe
and drink the best Burgundy
           I eat only eggs
           and drink only milk
I have servants at my beck and call
No man is my master
           The animals in the fields are my only servants
           God is my only master
I live in a white mansion
           I live in a grey box
I am master of the game
You are just a pawn
I pity you
           You are the pawn
           I pity you
           I have my thoughts of peace
I am too busy making money
to think of peace
           I have the sun and the wind
           the songs of the birds
           the freshness of rain
           and the friendship of dogs
I have no time
for such as these
           I have riches in my soul
I have no soul
If I had   it has died
           I shall live when I die
When I die
the game will end

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Glasgow, 5th May 1967

Publication

1991 New Wave (USA)