Refrain

Gold cherry

By Parson Thru

Fri, 18 May 2018
  • 5009 reads
20 comments
 

Pack your belongings in a plastic bag

and

sling

your

hook

Go tell your story to a bleeding heart

we

don’t

give

a

fuck

The streets are full of down and outs

and

winos

on

the

lug

So, pack your belongings in a plastic bag

and

sling

your

hook

 

The man in the doorway looked up.

Morning officers.

What’s the problem?

 

One of the Constables moved stiffly in his stab-vest.

He twitched his head back in an On your way! gesture.

 

On your way! he said.

 

You’re clearing me out for the wedding.

I’m too embarrassing to have around.

 

Move! said the other copper.

Now! said the first.

 

I ain’t got nowhere else to go. said the man.

Though he needn’t have bothered.

He rolled his quilt in a bin-bag anyway.

What else was he meant to do?

 

My name’s Rifleman.

 

The plods looked on.

 

I lost my mates in Kandahar.

An IED by their armoured car.

 

We were based outside this town.

Now all I have’s a doorway,

a blanket and some Merrydown.

 

The plods looked on.

Not my problem, son.

 

Pack your belongings in a plastic bag

and

sling

your

hook.

Certificate 18
Poem
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

There are some trying to help ex-servicemen I think, but the problems are deep after such stress, and  though a city's streets can't be real help, it must often be so difficult to share the struggles, and open up to those who might be able to listen and support. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Yes. A lot has been done in recent years. But not much by the state or crown. Ex-service personnel have always deserved more. Not the sentimentalism that goes on in the States and has been introduced here, but real compensation and support. Proportionate to the wealth that the rich gain from conflict.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

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Submitted by Parson Thru on

Thank you! :)

Parson Thru

Submitted by thornwood on

Death is the natural conclusion to life

Stephen d

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Who would argue with that?

Parson Thru

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

One in four homeless Englishmmen is an ex-serviceman. A well-timed reminder.

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Thanks Elsie Katz. It's always a good time.

Talk about unmet expectations, hey?

Parson Thru

Submitted by Pat G on

Yes. Social cleansing. Funny that all the royalists are allowed to doss on the streets ahead of the x!+*ing wedding.

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Yes.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

Some youngsters who join at the minumum age of  fifteen and three quarters are escaping an unhappy family life or moving on from the care of social services. The army becomes their family. The British Legion helps anyone who has been in the Army for a week or more.

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Do they do outreach? I have a bit of history I suppose. Inherited (tradition) and personal acquaintance. As I'm sure you know, it isn't all about PTSD or physical disability. Many who've had long spells in the military have been exposed to the heavy drinking culture, which is part of the tradition. Bravado and drinking skills work in close unison. For most, it's an entry into a great social life during and after. For many, it becomes a curse. Lives are ruined. As a culture that's long been cherished and encouraged within Britain's armed forces, I wonder what those who uphold those traditions are doing to ameliorate it? At the dirty end, we see often aggressive or antisocial drunks in doorways. Is responsibility being abrogated? We live in a society where the military is largely hidden, except for stage managed events of state like today's. Is there some delusion or hypocrisy going on there somewhere? Oh, and I'm not just talking about the common soldiery here.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

AFAIK the British Legion does not do outreach. Ex-servicemen and women have to contact them. I am sure they are able to offer phone or e-mail info to friends of ex-service people. I have a nephew who is office staff in London and who has also  worked for the samaritans. He also helped Glenda Jackson hang on to her marginal Labour seat by knocking doors and asking for votes. Yes, when he is a lot older, Ben is destined for Heaven!

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Good old Ben. What happened to Glenda Jackson?

Parson Thru

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

Glenda chose to retire through age. Her successor Tulip Siddiq is young and also cares about the quirky marginal constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn.

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Sounds like a happy outcome. I lost track of her completely.

Parson Thru

Submitted by gletherby on

Thanks PT. This is making me so cross.... Gayle 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Hi Gayle. It's easier to ignore here, but it's happening anyway.

Parson Thru

Submitted by socialeaf on

Excellent Parson Thru; makes me so angry, how blatant it is and how accepting we all are. 

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

It might be better if the cost came out of their silken pockets. Great for tourism, apparently. Brilliant! Lots of insecure, low paid jobs to make it look like we've got a functioning economy.

Parson Thru