The past has been accused of harassment
and is languishing in the front page news.
The woman who thought she was queen is dead
and they spent millions covering her up.
There are more beggars on the street
and prices have gone up. It is as though
the 70s have returned, arms outstretched
to embrace the rich or push away the poor.
There was a culture of celebrity and fear,
a blind eye whose wink was as good
as a nod, and which didn’t like to interfere.
He hung his head and confessed to it all
as they marched us into the square,
ready to face the future’s firing squad
Rupert M. Loydell
Pic: Claire Palmer