My original intention had been to write a humorous poem around the proverbial swallow, and words such as pint, summer and lies etc.

But with the UK now being in a world of deepest doggy-do, and with a Starmerite (his dad was a tool-maker don’t you know!) purge of genuine Socialists under way, I thought I’d try to write a sonnet whose tone reflects the dire straits in which British citizens find themselves. For those who’re interested, it’s a Petrachan sonnet-well, at least it was when I started it!

I’ve used Old English Text, which reminds me of when I was a teenager, experimenting with real pen and ink calligraphy; the line beginnings and words printed in red, stem from a time when important words in religious liturgical and legal texts were highlighted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_Roses

https://mashable.com/article/london-womens-march-bread-and-roses

 

Bread and Roses for All

 

One swallow will not our glorious summer make,

Nor red-tied frauds, true friends of labouring folk:

No friend of mine can love Apartheid’s yolk,

More swallowed lies, our nation’s heart will break:

Britannia’s future guard, for our Children’s sake,

Compassion’s spirit we must now invoke,

Let zeal for justice fill our Hearts of Oak,

Lest fate make any of us a Daniel Blake.

 

Hail, men and women brave, North of the Tyne,

“Homes fit for Heroes” once were within sight,

Now Poverty’s a-knocking on your doors,

Whilst craven Cowardice abets the creep of slime.

Rise, march against the lies which our lives blight:

Proclaim: “Bread and Roses for All” within our shores.

 

Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh 16thJune,2023