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Cod Consensus (more Myth-Pricking)

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We smelt the piles of rubbish in the street
and read by candles in the freezing dark,
we watched for Nazi skinheads in the park
and heard the moan of Britain's long defeat.
The old paternalism kept us down
in triple-binds of accent, race and creed;
and yet we thought we nurtured hope indeed,
though dreams of aspiration went unknown.
And then the old consensus passed away
with all its myths, delusions and refrains
and brought us to this brighter, clearer day;
a day where workers profit at their ease
in lives of freedom far from old remains;
and new perspectives flow from overseas.

◄ Stockport WoL August Collage Poem

Kultur Kampf ►

Comments

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John F Keane

Mon 22nd Apr 2013 21:48

Harry, some good suggestions there - I have applied most of them.

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Harry O'Neill

Mon 22nd Apr 2013 21:17

J.F.
Dont `get` the last line and disagree with the three lines immediately before it. The first ten lines are undeniable.

I love the workmanlike way you have carved a sonnet out of this...particularly that `paternalism` (it`s not easy)...A tiny quibble in a clearly put poem...shouldn`t that be triple-binds` in line six?

(just a thought: If that black guy is one of those those black doctors we had to import to rescue the N.H.S. then your last line becomes clearer)

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Julian (Admin)

Mon 22nd Apr 2013 12:04

You are a master of the sonnet, John; this the tongue in cheek form. So topical too.

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