on Northern Trains’ train
service from Leeds to Blackpool
it was everywhere
the stag party lads
City fans going westward
Blackburn blokes’ day out
clothed in fancy dress
Freddy Flintstone is off his rocks
Cinderella’s stoned
butch ballerina
tights, arms like a lock forward
gruff giggles, twitchy
they’re sniffing it up
in the disabled toilet
off the seat-back tray
here, there everywhere
through the Pennines, down the track
at each stop more start
Bolton away, Pompey lads
fuelled up by booze and powder
think highly of themselves
confront Horwich thugs
Greater Manchester Police force
have to hold the line
in fine old Norwich
office boys’ night out of it
most are on it too
it’s here and its there
in the Green Room, behind doors
night clubs, town square pubs
noses are powdered
in the women’s and men’s rooms
and England’s dreaming
some will get punchy
others non-stop shrill chatter
their nervous reaction
cheap, quick and easy
heart racing, coronary
waiting in the wings
~
n.b. Today, a news article reflects the day-to-day reality, without any sniffy moralising, that cocaine is in widespread use in Britain. From what I’ve seen of late, it does seem commonly available.
CLP 29/10/2024
Journey of Words 