Sally J,
I've read this a few times and still like it, even if it does run the risk
of being a political poem. I like it because it is clear and economical in
it's use of language at the same time as capturing a complex social problem.
Reading the poem I ought to have problem working out that the first person
is a policeman (for whom the poem allows some sympathy) and the second lot
of people are rascals. But I don't. So I guess you have got excellent cues
in the poem, that trigger those series of associations. You might consider
ROUND instead of AROUND because it runs better IMO. "Swaying" would be
another word to put under the magnifying glass. Not saying that it has to
go, but there might be another word that applies better to how a cloak moves
at the same time as conjuring ludicrous vulnerability.
As an aside, it may be interesting to consider that there are plenty of
countries where the police would take the youths off to a locked facility
for a few days, beat them blue and red and then return them to the streets,
if they were cheeky to the police. In such countries what seems to happen is
that the vicious youths disappear. They join the police instead, because of
the opportunities for violence.
BW
Colin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sally James" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 4:26 AM
Subject: new sub Mr Plod
Mr Plod
I saw him today, walking the streets
on his own, getting wet,
his cape swaying like batman's
his helmet making him look seven feet tall
"Quick put out the spliff
hide the cider
look in the shop window
that guys a big bugger
I wonder if he has a truncheon under his cape
hand cuffs in his pocket
wears a bullet proof vest
Even if he has
he can't clip us around the ear-hole
give us a kick up the backside
six of the best
a sharp short shock
come to think of it no one can
so light me a spliff
pass the cider
nick that car
kids rule now
O.K."
sally james
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