When the Dogs Bite

Sunday, 31 August 2025

31st August 2025

Carsington Reservoir

three-quarters empty

His birthday

When attacks from TERFS are gaining traction

the transfolk have been Othered by the press

we don't understand the national reaction

when the country is in such a state of mess.

What did we do to warrant such distrainment

when all we want's to live our lives in peace?

Hating us is not an entertainment

we'd like the billionaire to kindly cease.

Why don't you throw your money at such causes

as mutilation of girls of this nation

because their patriarchal leader forces

to female genital mutilation.

"That doesn't happen here," I hear you saying

but seven in a thousand girls are praying.

Saturday, 30 August 2025

30th August 2025

locked out the house

my first assumption is divorce.

No! I have his dog!

Let us slap trigger warnings on the things

that cause offence to those of kinder wit

for art reflects the range that hist'ry brings

and less compassion that with the modern sit.

Those of nervous disposition may desire

to avoid performance of The Tempest now

you may dislike the popping of balloons and tire

of Biblical slaughter of the Fatted Cow.

And careful be when viewing public arts

for there often is depictions that can be

the naked human form, in all it fleshy parts:

Averted eyes avoid biology.

But racist old TV is fine to keep on shelves

and millionaires can alter laws to suit themselves.

Friday, 29 August 2025

29th August 2025

crisis of faith

Can I still a warrior be?

kind hearted

While walking to the doctor's yester morn

to book a slot as I was asked to make

(the forty minute walk's a quicker way

than the phone-appointment waiting queue will take)

I pass a Rhus Typhinia on the pavement

with leaves reminding me of times long gone

when I, a child, lived on fond engagement

at my parental home in Birmingham.

The neighbour, Mr Leadbetter, had bought

the house new-built upon the farm next door

when Mrs Morris with illness was fraught

and moved into some housing for the poor.

My father loathed him and his sumac tree

and I hated his kids, who bullied me.

Thursday, 28 August 2025

28th August 2025

https://www.ft.com/content/6abda90e-70bf-11e9-bf5c-6eeb837566c5

the little tab

at the bottom of TikTok

"people who hate you"

I see men's shirts have gone on sale again

in every colour you like (but only brown)

and shorts are in, for white men who can gain

their self-respect (but only in a crowd.)

While wearing little armbands with a flag,

while attaching a St. George to every place

and covering their mouth with paper bag

so Mummy doesn't recognise their face.

"We're being Patriots" they proudly claim,

"to celebrate the history of our people

when colonialism was our favourite game

and over half the world beneath our heel.

Tommy Robinson funds "Operation Raise the Colours"

wants Revolution for his Right-Wing dullards.

National Pride or Nationalism?

Musk and Farage Kissing

English Nazis

Wednesday, 27 August 2025

27th August 2025

expanding skills

I used to struggle with mounted triangles

not any more

Illegal immigrants in Britain

have become a rally point for those who seek

to overturn democracy and train

minorities they have to right to speak.

After terrorist attacks of 9-11

Sir Tony Blair sent troops to Afghan lands

to end al Qaida's view of Heaven

and liberate it from the Taliban.

But now the Taliban has courted English trends

and offered to fuck Farage in the arse

by taking all the deportees and take revenge

on any that flee their sad regime. A farse

when Nigel says six hundred thousand came,

the real number could not fill a Wembley game

Taliban to work with Farage

Immigration statistics

Tuesday, 26 August 2025

26th August 2025

paid subscription

now I can't log in

First World Problems

Standing in the garden 'ere my bed

while both the dogs partake of final wee,

in summer heat, when all my words are said,

between the sycamore and ash, the stars can see,

such peace I have; contentment I have seized

contending with my desire of the seas

but lo! the soughing of the temp'rate breeze

recalls the sound of surf within the trees.

The silence of the night is broken by the scream

of nearby motorcycles roaring past

as if the posted limits for road speed

were merely provocation to go fast.

With garden lit by solar-powered light

return indoors to tell my love: Goodnight.

Monday, 25 August 2025

25th August 2025

Dad's birthday.

He'd have a massive smile now

but he's cremated.

The memory of a sixties youth

when genitals decreed a child's life

to make my parents laugh with gleeful truth

in ignorance of future adult strife.

The TV shows as family we enjoyed

depicting deeds of other-gendered souls

who, with wit and humour, subtly employed

the concept of cross-dressing to these proles.

With practice, soon was I able to dress

in socially more feminine attire;

for this I thank the drag queens, I confess,

that lit the fuse of my transgender fire.

Sir Michael Crawford, I bless thee now aloud

with Barry Humphries and the Python crowd.