the civil war was when
some people hoped all sorted
no money, no change
~
n.b. Shifts in society take generations. Chris Kaba’s family in London, UK, also spring to mind.
CLP 22/09/2022
on time
Tag Archives: UK
on time
cocooned from us all
a cosseted existence
passes unquestioned
~
n.b. Time to move on sisters and brothers. Time to move on.
CLP 19/09/2022
on money
after the ball game
guitar case for donations
musicians on tour
after the music
man tells story of hunger
daily occurrence
~
n.b. Money is a big issue. A replica team baseball shirt on sale for $345 in the Team Store; on the street a guy needs $15 to eat.
The team motif is the cherry blossoms of spring, obvious to the passing motorist. Under the shade of trees, homeless men and women shelter, passing motorists oblivious.
Don’t think I don’t know this isn’t just a USA situation, I come from the UK.
CLP 18/09/2022
on time
woman pulls on rope
each fourth second of this hour
toll echoes through gorge
that night, drunks in street
try out new anthem for size
irreverent laughs
~
n.b. Since the collapse of the English Revolution in 1660, the wealthiest landowners have firmly stuck together to ensure they get to choose the head of state. There is no likelihood of another civil war, (literally or figuratively), between competing groups of landowners in the UK ever again.
Scottish, Dutch and German aristocrats have been drafted into the post since 1603 when the Welsh Tudor family, (who seized power with the help of French allies in 1485) ran out of offspring.
Therefore, it could be argued that the late queen’s greatest achievement was to have four children, who have had children of their own, thereby ensuring very little will change in how the UK is run and by whom for a few generations yet.
The people of the UK get to vote for the servants of the crown, but the monarchy, (this iteration descended from an obscure Hanoverian protestant family of aristocrats invited to take on the throne in 1714), keeps the jewellery and ensures that the keys to much needed change remain at arm’s length.
n.n.b. The gorge referred to above is the Ironbridge gorge, one day likely to be identified as the original source of human-driven climate disruption.
n.n.n.b. The new anthem contains the unfamiliar line “God save the king.”
p.s. The people of Ukraine continue fighting for their lives. Day 199.
CLP 10/09/2022
on time
bunting still in place
remnants of past majesty
for whom the bell tolls
~
n.b. This seamless transition on death of the incumbent prevents a slip between cup and lip. No risk of reflection, consideration, or review of the nature of monarchy.
Nothing personal, but maybe we could discuss some kind of democratic change and a little bit of wealth redistribution generally.
CLP 08/09/2022
on rain
we bemoan presence
your mild inconvenience
weep at absence
~
n.b. Notes, coins and electronic tokens in private water companies’ bank accounts are worth nothing when Nature’s reserves have been spent.
It is expected that a drought is to be declared in England today. July 2022 saw just 10% of average rain fall for the month, while August has seen close to none at all.
We search the skies for signs of rain. What next, rain dances, prayers?
CLP 12/08/2022
on Ukraine
consider profits
manufacturers' heaven
economic boom
~
n.b. Does the UK government truly want to support the Ukrainian people, or does it see ‘leading the West’ as an instant way to boost the post-covid, post-Brexit economy?
The promised £1 billion of support goes not to Kyiv, but to arms factories in UK. Ukraine gets the weapons, fights the fight, continues to bury its children, (as do Russia’s mothers).
Is this why there is no talk of talks from the besieged of Downing Street?
Russia must be stopped, but who seeks an end to the slaughter? Does this proxy war have to be fought until the last Ukrainian?
Or must this war become a direct confrontation, risking mutual mass destruction, for it to be halted?
The Cuban missile crisis and the Berlin airlift took that risk. Just arming Ukraine prolongs the agony, puts off the inevitable moment, when Russian soldiers stand face-to-face with NATO soldiers, either in Ukraine, or at its border.
When will someone stand up to the bully? Why is the child being repeatedly told, stand up for yourself, we’ll hold your coat? Martyrs of Hungary and Czechoslovakia know how this turns out.
Is Russia’s alleged poor weaponry, still too great a match for suit-wearing, vote-needy politicians? Politicians who see money in war and hope for votes from money?
Day 141, the start of week 21. Ker-ching! Can you hear the cash register?
CLP 16/07/2022
on time
talk me through again
how you stayed for me, for us
you liar, you spiv
~
n.b. I rarely do politics…
CLP 07/07/2022
on Ukraine
scorched earth policy
blood and bone enrich the soil
is this what it needs?
~
n.b. While the nonsense drags on in London, the senseless slaughter continues in Ukraine. Nobody wins. Day 133.
CLP 06/07/2022
on Ukraine
glow over city
nothing to worry us here
blood-red sunset
~
n.b. The world spins on as if nothing is happening.
CLP 27/06/2022
Voyage des Mots 