“You have a beautiful country, Upton.
It is such a pity that the Normans are still in control.”
Waclav Kessling, the poet’s friend, now deceased
Thugs grin when you follow their instructions.
We are equal; that’s the current story;
but whereas a yob’s kid, or shag, or mate,
became a lord a thousand years ago,
today it’s what you tell you do not know
which gains kudos from a violent bastard.
The decline in full rights of born kings permits
a competitive edge to slice through harsh throats.
Pro-forma bullying breaks weak resistance
in crowds of the untrained or unempowered poor.
Rough managers have smooth magicians’ tricks
in hand-held boxes which they look after,
sacrificing time to work sharp sleights
for their virtues of blustering comfort.
--
"The desire to testify": interview with Chris Goode
http://intercapillaryspace.blogspot.com/2010/02/desire-to-testify.html
["the fullest, or at least the broadest, account I've yet given of what it
is I think I do and what questions underwrite it" Chris Goode]
‘a song and a film’ by Lawrence Upton -- Veer Publications / Writers Forum
ISBN: 978-1-907088-05-6 A5 84 pages. 2009. £6.00
"water lines and other poems" by Lawrence Upton - Pdf_16x16 111 pages
free download http://chalkeditions.co.cc
‘snap shots and video’ by Lawrence Upton -- Writers Forum
ISBN: 978-1-84254-113-5 A5 52 pages. £6.00
Lawrence Upton
AHRC Creative Research Fellow
Dept of Music
Goldsmiths, University of London
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