CAGE MENTALITY by David Erdos - Poem 2 from THE PEOPLES PRISON

 Poem 2 from THE PEOPLES PRISON

CAGE MENTALITY




And so the peoples prison resumes, but will Burt Lancaster’s birds

Come to calm us? For now, there is an Alcatraz in all places,

Even if your personal bubble extends. Apparently, you can spit it out

Across air and stain your chosen few with saliva, risking no slick infection.

 

As well as travel, just as long as you freeze out your friends. Certainly,

The current cold is a seal, that would seem to have been sent to remind us,

That now, what was healthy may forever become the infirm,

As the truly incontinent attitude starts, requiring hoarded toilet roll

 

To appease it, while the rest of us turn to newspaper to wipe off

The human waste which disturbs. For this is a time to churn guts,

Excreting hope as we do so. Nostalgia will be used like a lotion,

Or a laxative to clear pain. But we can’t rely on its balm

 

As we have to use this time to plan wisely and resist a new order

That will either be ‘bidening’ time before harming, or waiting

Sagely to rise and revive Satan’s flame. It is always worse

When it’s cold as we happily batten down all the hatches,

 

But elsewhere of course in hot countries they will be stalling

Heat, ease and air, and unease as well, and in the harshest conditions,

While here, I waste away, needing money, along with a woman’s touch,

A friend’s care. The cage mentality roars but with all doors shut,

 

No-one hears me. I shake the bars. They stay static.

No, it was me who shook. Stare. Beware.

 

 





David Erdos, November 5th 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.


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