A Right Kettle to Fix By Patrick Henry

Protest at street demos, taken as free right, Frames you on mad fringes in duffle coats. Cordons of order close in the nation's thought, That terror looms more than fresh climates we need. Cops numberless strike, then hide in shadows. A newsvendor is hit by no sheer chance, But a target for their control at points of info. Inquiries are held by the guilty, closing ranks. Total states use tanks on rebels, not our kid gloves. Shelley on Peterloo, thought our PM wore the devil\u2019s mask. Against demos now, one MP says shoot water cannon To clean our streets from debris offending the rich. Nets tighten to catch protesters in the public glare, Shamed to bare relief, when robbed of comfort breaks, Which call-centres suffer; get no drinks for dry throats. Rage builds. Steam rises. Warning whistles blow.

Copyright ©2009  Patrick Henry

This poem can also be read on iPoetry, the poetry app for the iphone/ipod touch available on the Apple iTunes App Store.

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