Dream by Annette C

Dream

When I was young-about 9 or 10
I watched the men on the TV
Who spoke so twee, about money and MPs
I knew then what I wanted to be

The years eased in; the forms filled in
The referees asked, their titled names-
In letters large and small. The ones I sought
After being taught, that respect was
Neither won nor gained
Without those letters on your name.
Nice house, good car-markers of success
“You’ll go far,” they said
Whilst sneering at John from down the estate
And later, a prayer before lunch-time break
“For Children in Africa-a Christian sake”

And yet had I really listened to
Their Christian talk; “better your background”
I’ve have learned that the world
Was largely planned; we were actors
In a script already writ
As Johnny would say without shame.

And yet we all had our dreams
When we were young and watched TV
Of Worlds so far apart;Of people we wanted to be.

City by Annette

Belfast
The Hills had eyes; a city touched and horrified
Its bloodied hands embraced me as I struggled to find home.
‘Beal Feirste’, the river’s mouth: the tides turned yet circled
into peaceful lapping. The seagulls merrily squawked;
As I voiced place-names: Royal Avenue, The Albert Clock
In the Docks Samson and Goliath stood proud; in peace.
Its people. Their words rose; welcomed the stranger.
Warmth, strength. The Lagan flows its tranquil length

Dream by Annette

Dream

When I was young-about 9 or 10
I watched the men on the TV
Who spoke so twee, about money and MPs
I knew then what I wanted to be

The years eased in; the forms filled in
The referees asked, their titled names-
In letters large and small. The ones I sought
After being taught, that respect was
Neither won nor gained
Without those letters on your name.
Nice house, good car-markers of success
“You’ll go far,” they said
Whilst sneering at John from down the estate
And later, a prayer before lunch-time break
“For Children in Africa-a Christian sake”

And yet had I really listened to
Their Christian talk; “better your background”
I’ve have learned that the world
Was largely planned; we were actors
In a script already writ
As Johnny would say without shame.

And yet we all had our dreams
When we were young and watched TV
Of Worlds so far apart;
Of people we wanted to be.

City by Annette

Belfast

The Hills had eyes; a city touched and horrified
Its bloodied hands embraced me as I struggled to find home.
‘Beal Feirste’, the river’s mouth: the tides turned yet circled
into peaceful lapping. The seagulls merrily squawked;
As I voiced place-names: Royal Avenue, The Albert Clock
In the Docks Samson and Goliath stood proud; in peace.
Its people. Their words rose; welcomed the stranger.Warmth, strength. The Lagan flows its tranquil length