Poetical Political

Thought I'd post a couple more poems.

These are all based about protest and politics. Specifically about the protests around the latest war in Iraq.


Protest Space

We stand in the middle of the road
Blocking traffic is a criminal act
Around the world people come
stand
chant
walk

We create a protest space
Where different voices are heard
through a microphone
through a megaphone
on a banner

Some of the speeches are boring
self-serving
Some of the chants are lame
The guy next to me trades sarcastic jibes with the police on the other side of the barricades
A couple of schoolkids dip their hands in red paint

I don’t expect the war to stop
I don’t think we can make many people change their minds tonight
But I believe the people who sound their horns
get out of their cars
Smile and wave
I believe in the community we become
Linked on this road
Many roads

Around the world some people stopped
We said no to war
We created a different space

----------------
Right Sides

The policeman makes uncomfortable small-talk from behind the lines
Of riot police
Of horses
Pepper spray and batons
‘You kids alright?’ he says. ‘You sure?’

What answer is possible?
I want to tell him no
Actually I’m a bit intimidated
By your lines of riot police
Of horses
Pepper spray and batons

The ‘kids’ tell him they’re fine
‘Come join us on the right side of the barricade’ they call out
Cheeky bravado
He smiles
mouth only
‘I think we’re all on the right sides of the barricades tonight’

-----------------

Bicycle wars
Among the rows of police guarding the American Consulate is a line of bicycle cops
Their bikes lined up with military precision
Facing straight ahead
Handlebars towards the crowd

What good are they supposed to do in a charge? I wonder
Race us to the building?
Two-wheelers just aren’t as intimidating as police horses
Though more environmentally friendly

Then I hear that later a protester is arrested for apparently assaulting a police officer with his bicycle
So maybe bikes are a weapon after all