Reflections Issue 11

Steve Smith 'THE PETERLOO SUITE' Didn't You Used to Be..?

Once I was a vole that scampered into an upturned can, tasting sweetly- or not- the sips of dregs, and couldn't get out so curled inside.

And you, you stood on the altar, And you, breathed fire into their faces; And you, at the dispatch box dissembling, Yes you- sent millions to their unsought fate.

Once I was a deer, shy and scared of humankind, antlers tentative, anxious quaking of contact, dreaming of words to be spoken.

Yet you, give the lie to democracy, Tearing scant carpets from those in poverty, Yes you- lounging in mansionsBoiling eagles' eggs from nests you've raided, Scrying for a clue.

Once I was a rabbit sifting all I could from life: grazing specks of love at dusk, mind-blowing all at night, at daybreak too.

And you: speak of hope and future; Yes you breathe the nightmare's pretence, Shuffling cards where the loaded never die, Plucking rare flowers to snuff them Behind your white clean creased handkerchief.

Once I stood before the young and taught them, making up some songs- of freedom to think, of questions to ask at each and every dawning.