KINDERGARTENS

KINDERGARTENS

An American Cop receives just sixteen weeks training.

From admission to exit out onto the streets lined

With hate. In that time what is learnt? Does justice

Achieve its precision, or are the rules half remembered

As they bludgeon and crush certain fates? There,

The scorecard is black, as black and white taints

All vision. There are no shades of grey. No discerning,

But then such short school midgets make.

Midgets of mind, that is, housed in overpowering

Stature. And not just there, but here also,

As the heart of Shaney Lewis’ poor mother breaks.

And Rashan Charles’ family, along with the countless

Others, victims it seems of a playground, in which

There is no give, or gift, only take. As the vagueries

Of Social distance were split by yesterday’s

Hyde Park protest, care over covid became

The substance that these angry hearts all

Exchanged. These were the sweets that were

Passed between people. And as many Police

Here received them as pushed Rasan and co.

Towards pain. A process of learning outside,

While Trump’s mysterious troops ignore lessons.

And yet, within their hurt silence, as the Protestors

Rage, I feel sense. That some of these uniforms

Are appalled at the madness of these warped

Decisions but can do nothing. They’re children,

Waiting to apply Trump’s pretence. Meanwhile,

The test and trace system fails, as fronted by

Baroness Harding. The test isn’t easy. She does not

Have the numbers, and people are waiting weeks

For results. And so, a cotton bud used as a coronic

Weapon, fires without clear instruction,

As the possibly ill become cult. And then in Germany,

They suspect they have Madeline McCann’s killer.

She should have been in her kindergarten, but they

Are horribly sure she’d have died. And so, an old toddler’s

Ghost lays next to an adult new one. And we seek

The teachers who for the love of God might say why.

David Erdos, June 4th 2020

For more poems from David Erdos visit The Corona Diaries collection 

David Erdos is an actor, writer, director with over 300 professional credits. He is a published poet, playwright, essayist and illustrator. He has lectured on all disciplines in theatre and film for leading performing arts colleges, schools and universities around the world. His books include EASY VERSES FOR DIFFICULT TIMES, THE SCAR ON THE CLOUD, OIL ON SILVER, NEWS FROM MARS, CHANGING PLACES WITH LIGHT (penniless press) and BYZANTIUM with the photographer Max Reeves. He is a contributing editor for The International Times and maker of documentaries all over the world. David’s work has been acclaimed by many leading figures including Harold Pinter, Heathcote Williams, Alan Moore, Andrew Kotting, Chris Petit and Iain Sinclair in whose recent book THE LAST LONDON, David features. He can be reached at David.erdos@sky.com.

David Erdos

©    David Erdos has asserted his moral rights as author of his work and has full copyright.