poem / Somme 100

Siegfried Sassoon

Somme 100

How many poor soldiers died at the Somme?

How many were immigrants? Where were they from?

And how many soldiers have died since then?

One hundred years of war and men

Never learning, we vote, and listen to

Plump politicians like magicians who

Will empty your coffers and fill your news

With causes to fill soldiers shoes

We're tired of bombs and pomp and glory

War is futile and war is gory

Westminster cunts in suits and ties

Killing people and telling lies

Siegfried Sassoon haunts me here

We must fight for love and fight the fear

He wishes we'd make some peace and good

And unity in our neighbourhood

How many poor poets died at the Somme?

How many were immigrants? Where were they from?

And how many soldiers have died since then?

One hundred years of war and men.

One hundred years of men, and war, again.




(c) Salena Godden. July 1st 2016

rare image of a black "Tommy" from WW1

GIGS, FESTIVALS AND PARTIES:

June 29th: Soapbox Poetry, The John Peel Centre, Stowmarket

July 9th: 'Stand Up And Spit' The Roundhouse, Camden, London

July 9th: Bang Said The Gun, Udderbelly, Southbank

July 15th: BookSlam with PJ Harvey and Tracy Thorn

July 13th: 'An Unreliable Guide To London' Influx Book Launch London

July 23rd: Festival 23  

August 1st: 'The Good Immigrant' at The Roundhouse, Camden

August 4th: William Morris Gallery, London

August 5th-7th: The Green Gathering Festival, Wales

August 18th: Neu Reekie, Edinburgh International Book Festival

August 21st: Margate Bookie  LitFestival

September 2-4th: Churchtown, Cornwall

October 7th: Cheltenham Literary Festival

October 12-15: Durham Literary Festival

October 19th: Manchester Literary Festival

October 21st: ArchWay With Words Festival supporting Suzi Quatro