Secure in my solitude I stroll the street

Avoiding the attention of the hyenas you meet

Unnatural aggression- desperation not fear

Strangers circling in their designer gear

Razor sharp suits and rubber blunt wit

Dancing on toes they prepare their skit

My expression is glazed, I avoid their eyes

Gaze at my shoes, my phone, and the skies

Try as I may, to resist their appeal

Contact is made and they begin their spiel…

 

‘Scuse me mate, do you have Sky?

Would you like to reclaim your PPI?

Injured at work through no fault of your own?

Can I ask you a few questions ‘bout your broadband and phone?

What are your thoughts on nuclear power?

Save the clock tower, save the clock tower!

Hey Buddy- Do you have a young family?

Could you spare a few minutes or quid for charity?

Pee in this pot to check for infection

Take this pamphlet about Cat Protection

Free fitting this weekend on windows and doors

Try these new e-ciggies- you can smoke them indoors

 

Surrounded and bombarded, my patience they’re trying

I become all Rex Kramer, but before the fists start flying

I see an old guy at the entry to the mall

He’s stood upright- as if guarding his stall

Proud yet humble, with medals on his chest

He doesn’t vie for attention, he doesn’t get stressed

He smiles politely, refuses to mither

I reach to his tin, and put in a fiver

He thanks me and nods, to show his gratitude

His understated voice louder than salesmen platitudes

 

The war is etched into his face; his battle has been won

Long since retired, but his race has just begun

Raising funds for fallen comrades, families and kin

Regardless of their age, or colour of their skin

Regardless of sexuality or religious beliefs

Every man together, united by grief

He doesn’t call me buddy, or offer a free quotation

He doesn’t demand my time, or minimum donation

He has no need to remind us; he fought that we be free

To live as we wish to, to worship as we see

He doesn’t want us to destroy every synagogue and mosque

He has seen the horrors of war, and knows the painful cost

He asks lest we forget, his brothers who have died

So I will wear a paper poppy, and wear it with pride