A parody of Naming of Parts by Henry Reed
Today we have creating a dystopia. Yesterday,
We had democracy. And tomorrow morning,
We shall have what to do after Corona. But today,
Today we have creating a dystopia. Bluebells
Dance like a river in all of the Suffolk woods,
And today we have creating a dystopia.
This is the loss of public gatherings. And this
Is social distancing, whose use you will see
When you are given your latex gloves. And this is the protective mask,
which in your case you have not got. The blossoms
Hold in the gardens their silent, eloquent gestures,
Which in our case we have not got.
This is the locked door, which is always released
With a sleeve or a hand in a glove. And please do not let me
See anyone using their fingers. You can do it quite easy
If you have any strength in your fist. The blossoms
Are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see
Any of them using a finger.
And this you can see is the sack. The purpose of this
Is to break the bank, as you see. We can slide it
Rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this
Furloughing. And rapidly backwards and forwards
The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers:
They call it easing the Spring.
They call it easing the Spring: it is perfectly easy
If you have any cash in your account: like the job,
and the friends, and the shopping trips, and the point of balance,
Which in our case we have not got; and the almond-blossom
Silent in all the gardens and the bees going backwards and forwards,
For today we have creating a dystopia.
Vanessa Raison
ness365 