Here’s an unfinished one. It doesn’t have a title yet. It’s about the contradictions of fame.
Your farthing thoughts are shared by all
Devalued with each budget
Come forward for a curtain call
It’s certain you will fudge it
You cannot bear to stand in front
But hate to be behind
You’re choosing to sit out the hunt
By claiming to be kind
You’re waiting for a letter
To transform you with its offers;
Life just has to get better:
You’re silencing the scoffers:
You know you are not ready
But it hurts when you lie low:
You’re poised when they say “steady”
But sit down when they shout “Go!”
That’s all I’ve done. I think it has potential.
Since we are in the midst of Olympic fever, it would be good if there was a performance-enhancing drug for writers. It could be called “prose-ac”. (Yes, I amaware that for centuries writers have taken drugs – that was just a joke)
My drug of choice? Red, red wine. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg1iEBWxVeQ
I used to smoke dope but now I can’t be bothered.
Incidentally, that reminds me of my favourite joke. Well, not so much a joke as a funny thought inspired by seat-belts in cars – because they have an inertia reel which stops them spooling out when you jerk them. This always makes me think of a dance where no-one can be bothered to get up. (”Take your partners for the inertia reel. Oh, all right then. Just sit there and drink”)
PS Today’s poet is Earl Birney. Check him out.
Tags: Earl Birney, fame, inertia reel, Olympics, poems, red wine, UB40
