Youths vs. Order

Policeman 1: (leans forward on the desk, eyebrow raised)Why'd you do it son?

Youth:(Folds his arm) Why not? What do you know about what it's like for us?

Policeman 1: You understand theft of this kind will lead to a prison sentence?

Youth: (shrugs) And?

Policeman 2: Make it easier for yourself, tell us all you know. Give us names. We'll work out a deal.

Youth: I ain't no grass love. (leans back on his chair disgusted)

Policeman 1: (rubs his thumb and forefinger in the corner of his eyes) Are you from London?

Youth: Yeah. You?

Policeman 2: That's none of your concern.

Policeman 1: (Holds up hand to silence her) Yes I am.

Youth:(Leans forward) The nice bit I bet. The problem with you people is that you don't know what it's like. Pushing and shoving. I ain't got a job cos this country's gone to shit. No one helps or listens, just push and push. Then they cut the help they're givin' us. I wanted to be a doctor you know? I didn' want this life. You think I want to be sittin' here with you two wankers? Nah. Benefit cuts, unemployment, raising tuition so people like us can't afford uni? Keeping the rich rich and the poor poor. That's why the country is angry. Tell me your not angry when they make cuts to the NHS. So the sick wait longer, whilst the rich get their private medical care. The country's pissed. Understand?

Policeman 1: And what are you gaining from looting? Burning down the shops of people like yourself?

Youth: We're making a stand.

Policeman 2: Stupid boy.The country makes money whilst shops are open. The country makes money from rental of homes and shops. The money that is used to pay your benefits. You think by ruining people's lively hood you are making this country better?

Youth: You don' understand.

Policeman 2: (stands up and leans over the table) Oh, I understand. You're pissed. Everyone is pissed. But you know what you don't understand? People get punished in this country, punished for theft, punished for arson and punished for violence. And do you know why?

Youth: (turns his head to the floor) Yeah.

Policeman 2: Well you don't. If you did we wouldn't be here. ( Turns to policeman 1) I think we have all the information we need. You tell your friends, this country is angry, but smashing it up is not the way to fix it.

Youth: (shrugs)We're gettin' noticed though ain't we? (leaves the room)

An ode to Marilyn Monroe

Star constellations glitter like sequins in your eyes,
but like every star you burned out,
burned out too fast, burned out too young.
Norma Jean you were a kaleidoscope on a spin,

an emotional typhoon that crashed, dipped and climbed
in search of a dream that embraced you at night.
Posters and pictures adorn walls of millions
engraving that longed for acceptance in the fabric of time.

Scouring Hollywood to emulate you,
oblivious to see the signs to guide them.
The platinum hair is a halo,
we will find you among the angels.

A sonnet to a rhinestone speckled butterfly

The wings of butterflies are born through dirt
within small Tennessee homes of the past.
Tragic love songs echo beneath the shirt,
melodic guitars tell stories that last.
Lipstick across a cosmetic made lie
where glamour hides the truth within the mind.
Blonde ambition unable to fly high,
whilst stereotypes are all they can find.
But queen of country reigns supreme with words
derived from Smoky Mountain DNA.
Vocals take flight and soar above the birds
to stay nestled in our minds day by day.
Rhinestones are diamonds; insects are beautiful.
The struggle is always more meaningful.