on 4/2/02 11:53 am, Bob Cooper at [log in to unmask] wrote:

> Read on down below (for C & C) and...
> N.B. The words presented inbetween *'s are supposed to be read as *in
> italics* but I'm refraining from using Rich Text Format (which may give me
> italics but gives some of you lotza irritation).
> Bob
> 
> 
I like this Bob, but I don't understand why it's called the marriage. maybe
I'm just thick. M ost of it is very well expressed and gets a lot in a short
poem. I like the beginning, too, it's very striking. AAnd so is the ending.
the impression i get is of a child listening and taking in this historical
event around t he mother's skirts. And it doesn't mention Thatcher, which is
very clever indeed.

Sally-ee

> The Marriage
> 
> Round her skirt I still tried to watch the news
> as more violent words ripped bulkheads
> with a force as strong as nature on a structure
> that had been launched with cheers, bought
> and re-sold, and was now called *General Belgrano.*
> 
> On the screen many talking heads, Jon Snow
> pushing models, saying which direction she sailed
> out of the conflict, or so she thought, as in the depths,
> because this is the way it always gets done,
> the cold command was being followed, *Engage.*
> 
> I went outside, watched the blood moon rise,
> heard next door’s cat’s yowl and another’s replies,
> then, still not knowing what to say, returned,
> and still a snatch of old film, the guesses,
> while, next to me, a face that gleamed *Gotcha.*
> 
> Later, in a pub, I heard one of the submariners
> slowly talking through the crump of each distant hit,
> saying, *No, no cheering. In fact somebody wept.
> And me? I just sat there, did what I had to,
> even when, far below, the last big explosion began.*
> 
> 
> Bob
> 
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