Asylum Seeking Daleks

by Attila the Stockbroker

Sunday 1st February 2009 7:23 am

This month's poem was chosen by Phil Golding who says of it, "The poem describes how the press helps create labels, division and stereotypes as barriers in a society that tries and wants to work together regardless of; sexual orientation, disability, race, gender, colour or creed". Find out more about Attila and his work at http://www.writeoutloud.net/poets/attilathestockbroker

Asylum Seeking Daleks

They claim their planet’s dying
that soon it’s going to blow
And so they’re coming here - they say
they’ve nowhere else to go....
With their strange computer voices
and their one eye on a pole
They’re moving in next door and then
they’re signing on the dole.....

Asylum seeking Daleks
are landing here at noon!
Why can’t we simply send them back
or stick them on the moon?
It says here in the Daily Mail
they’re coming here to stay -
The Loony Lefties let them in!
The middle class will pay......

They say that they’re not terrorists:
That doesn't wash with me!
The last time I saw one I hid
Weeks behind the settee...
Good Lord - they’re pink. With purple bumps!
There’s photos of them here!
Not just extra-terrestial....
The bloody things are queer!

Yes! Homosexual Daleks
And they’re sponging off the State!
With huge Arts Council grants
to teach delinquents how to skate!
It’s all here in the paper -
I’d better tell the wife!
For soon they will EXTERMINATE
Our British way of life.....

This satire on crass ignorance
and tabloid-fostered fear
Is at an end. Now let me give
One message, loud and clear.
Golf course, shop floor or BNP:
Smash bigotry and hate!
Asylum seekers - welcome here.
You racists: emigrate!

◄ Disappointment For The Albert Poets!

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More from Poem of the month

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1st Jun 2011

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1st May 2011

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1st Apr 2011

Poem of the month » Wife and Mother

1st Mar 2011

Comments

Dave Bradley

Fri 26th Jun 2009 14:53

This poem is now on the wall in the big room at Asylum Link Merseyside, where it is greatly appreciated. Well done Attila, spot on!

Steven Waling

Sat 28th Feb 2009 10:49

I don't see anything wrong with poems communicating, Atilla. All poems communicate. Mine may not be to malpoet's taste (but then so would anything in the least bit experimental, and he's rather too good at rising to the bait); but there are other reasons for writing than communicating. Trying to work out a problem in words, for instance; or a fascination with the sound of words (playing with words); or just writing down what you've seen in words. Most often, it's a combination of these things, but we all want to communicate. Sometimes, I find a poem that just puts down as accurately as possible what the poet sees, without comment, more powerful than any message that the poet gives out. Something like Charles Rexnikoff's "Testimony", or "Holocaust": very moving, taken from direct testimony, without comment. Might not work where you go, though...

But he wasn't trying to reach the audiences you do. Well, we can't all do that; some of us are just not built for it. I admire you for doing (as I admired Uncle Ade); but I have to do what I have to do. I probably largely agree with your politics; I just don't like standing up on platforms and shouting about it (sorry, I'm trying to find a way of saying that without it sounding like a criticism. It's not intending to be.)

As for the poem, the only real problem I have is with the last verse; which may well be necessary in the audiences you read it in, but in print looks like "the moral", and makes it sermonlike. It'd make an interesting discussion: what makes a poem work on stage, and what makes it work on the page, and in what way are they different?

attila the stockbroker

Thu 26th Feb 2009 18:24

If you have nothing to say, I honestly don't think there is any point in writing at all. The whole point of writing is to communicate.

Malpoet

Thu 26th Feb 2009 16:44

It is true that you don't tell people what to think in the unintelligible drivel that you call poetry Steven, but you are more than happy to lecture everyone about the type of politics they should have and how stupid and unread they are in your contributions to internet discussion.

Steven Waling

Thu 26th Feb 2009 12:00

I'm sure it is written with passion - so are some of the best sermons (Martin Luther King was pretty good at 'em.)

It's still basically about telling people what to think, though. The Poet as Preacher. Which is fine, if you've got something to say, say it loud and say it proud.

Me, I just listen in to the voices and write down what they say. I wish I had your certainties.

attila the stockbroker

Thu 26th Feb 2009 11:14

Well, Steven, in the 3 years and about 300 gigs since I wrote it a lot of people have cheered and applauded, some have sat there in stony silence, a few have shouted abuse and two have threatened me with physical violence.
It's not a sermon, it's what I feel, it's called PASSION!!

Go back to your garret. It's nice and comfortable, I'm sure, and no-one's going to have a go at you except on the internet, mainly anonymously. And that doesn't count.
Do you play chess?

Cheers,
A

Steven Waling

Wed 25th Feb 2009 12:00

Very good example of the Poem As Sermon. Has it converted anyone yet?

Christopher Dawson

Wed 18th Feb 2009 17:59

I agree with the positive AND negative comments here, I also see the irony in the stereotype angle....

..which leads me to my point that it is the writer's view/feeling/expression, so for me can't be challenged; merely being up to others to decide if they enjoy or not.

I can imagine that this reads really well and LOVE the fact that this guy wants to reach those not usually exposed to poetry.

Personally I don't agree completely with the politic and do accept that the last stanza wouldn't be required for this to work, it actually compounded my anti towards it's message.

Liked the style and imagination, a piece with purpose I feel.

Andy Humphrey

Tue 10th Feb 2009 11:08

To reply to Nabila, I think breaking down of stereotypes has to happen in stages - and one of the most important stages is to show up the nonsense and absurdity of the bigoted position for what it is. For me, this poem does the job just right. It's not the end of the process, but the beginning - and perhaps it's down to other poets to pursue the serious work of re-education, once this poem has made its point.

attila the stockbroker

Tue 10th Feb 2009 10:45

Very good, for instance, in getting a quick 1-0 over a fellow football fan who starts mouthing off about 'asylum seekers' in the pub. Sent packing in front of his mates. Yes, occasionally it can get a bit hairy, and I've had to use my fists as well as my tongue once or twice (in 29 years, not too bad) but lots of poets gave their lives fighting fascism, so the odd scrap isn't that bad. Cayn White of this site knows what I mean - HE nearly got beaten up doing this poem. Incidentally, if you find these words shocking, 'macho', or whatever, please think...hard.

If you want to see the live performance of this and a couple of others have a look at myspace.com/attilastockbroker and go to the Cherry Red video on the right of the page.

Pete Crompton

Mon 9th Feb 2009 12:38

I agree with Sophies comments.
and
I reiterate what I said as 'de Mar'
awesome example of performance poetry
puts the fun back
its what's needed, fun makes you live longer.
its only half until you hear Attila bang it out, smashing.

winston plowes

Fri 6th Feb 2009 22:40

Just adding to what has been said re performance v published literature - Audience will not have words in fromt of them. They may be talking, may well be pissed. To get through this you will need some explicit punchy material which quickly grabs the attention and then drives home its message. Horses for courses.
Winston

Malpoet

Fri 6th Feb 2009 21:50

To me this poem highlights the distinction between performance poetry and poetry as a part of literature. It works excellently as a piece of performance art, but there are parts of it which make me wince if I read them rather than listening.

As a political polemic it is very powerful. Something that is difficult to achieve while still keeping the performance flow and increasing the weight of impact by humour and irony. I don't feel the need for the last verse, but Attila is surely right to have it. Just because we have got the point and the joke before the end doesn't mean that it shouldn't be spelled out for those who have not understood what is being said. I don't think the poem is patronising and it is presumptuous, not to say arrogant, to assume that all your audience shares your picture of the world or the political position from which you write.

Great stuff Attila.

attila the stockbroker

Wed 4th Feb 2009 07:36

MC Johnson:

Precisely. I do gigs quite often in front of audiences who a) don't normally listen to poetry and b) have elements who are quite bigoted. The last verse is for them. If I only ever performed in art galleries it wouldn't be needed....

Nabila - define 'positive'!!

<Deleted User> (5791)

Wed 4th Feb 2009 00:18

The dumber than thou big reveal of the last verse was not needed unless it is assumed that the readers don't "get" the epic satire. Of course it's funny & goes de dum de dum de dum nicely.

<Deleted User>

Tue 3rd Feb 2009 23:01

My view is that if stereotypes are to be broken down and positive images represented, then a positive tone and approach in a poem is needed, which I feel is really lacking here

Hate to be blunt- but don't like this at all

Daniel Hooks

Tue 3rd Feb 2009 21:03

I have downloaded this from 57.com this such a great poem!!!

<Deleted User> (5763)

Tue 3rd Feb 2009 17:06

Brilliant! had me in stitches the minute I read it.
Your kind of humour is a great way to get the message across.

Jon

Sun 1st Feb 2009 11:04

So true and so funny at the same time! One thing I'm beginning to notice also is the number of poets inspired by the worldview of the "fabulous" Daily Mail! Haha!

Jonboy from Wigan

<Deleted User>

Sun 1st Feb 2009 01:32

an awesome example of performance poetry.
worthy and complete
passionate, angry

my idea of the genre of performance poetry encapsulated.

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