I am speaking to you from behind a lectern
in my ordinary clothing (but without underwear)
because I’d like you to read (or listen to)
my poetry
and I’ve been advised this is the way
to encourage you, by being apparent, accessible
and nonthreatening, showing my teeth
in happiness (not savagery). I was born
not far from here to parents you would recognise
from your own experience as children, learned
to wash myself and became educated
(but not too cleverly). Loved and lost. Played
football, boxed. Neither professionally
danced well enough
became a socialist, marched in solidarity
wrote letters on behalf of political prisoners
developed a taste for drink and drugs
experimented sexually
influences
include geography,
chemical imbalances (later modified)
the socio-economic conditions
which to some extent
surround everyone (but not equally)
whatever I say
is less (and more distorted)
than I intended initially
if it isn’t in the poem, honestly, it’s irrelevant
.
Steven Taylor
Picture Nick Victor
.