One wonders what drives them to do this. The need to hurt, to harm, to vent.
Why kick the car, one wonders, is their hatred so intense a thing that they
must needs turn upon the inanimate.
My school, of which I am a governor, has just spent £5000 on an adventure
climbing frame. We have housed it in the accessible play area, attached to
the school but open for all children to use. And let it be known that it was
free to be used by all. Some children broke through a fence, which was
needless since the place was open on two sides, and tried to burn it down!!
We have discovered they were ex-pupils of the School. They left to go to
Secondary last year. Its not the mindless destruction I detest but the
reasonless pent-up hell that drives them to it. There is no reason why. Your
poem reflects that, the ' flames fill the inside, the heat forced out '
passage could refer to the hell inside them as much as the torching of the
car.
I am aware that you could have chosen many other named cars for your title,
I believe the choice of Fiesta was deliberate. The title then can be read as
'Burning- The Festival!'. No need for footnotes really. Regards Arthur-----
Original Message -----
From: "Bob Cooper" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2003 4:11 PM
Subject: Burning The Fiesta


A "Fiesta" is the name of a small Ford car sold in the UK.
For C & C:

Burning The Fiesta

They clamber out, high-fiving it and shout,
one still waving the screwdriver used to open it,
before they'd hotwired it, revved it until it howled
and now they're dancing, turning to kick it
then set it alight. Their wild eyes calming
as flames fill the inside, the heat forced out
and almost embracing them. Such satisfaction,
the handbrake turns, quick lefts, fast rights,
the risk and trust to end up where they always arrive
beside the other wrecks - yesterdays, last weeks -
and now beneath the black smoke they stand
like prisoners outside the gate, released.

Bob Cooper

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