we are
a population
of dead kings and drug lords
descended from outlaws
generations
of sunsets and murmurations
carvers of gargoyles
breeders of pigeons
we are sparrowhawks
racehorses
ice cream wars
we are a theme park
of no hope
no industry
made up history
a busking
leafleting
oh so pretty
Instagram city
we are cold river rising
barrier failed
water damaged
books on tables on bricks
wading through hallways
mouldy wallpaper
run down rentals
we are heritage grants
for ancient ruins
in the shadow
of the cathedral and the jobcentre
we are railways
roman roads
minimum wage
maximum load
we are the high volume of applicants
for every demeaning role
we are tough times
cutbacks
zero hours
high tax
I’m alright Jack
bootstraps and flat caps
we don’t know we’re born
we are overpriced cream teas
hate crimes in Maccy D’s
gobs full of Greggs
crumbs in the pram
lazy parenting
hoodie gangs
no wonder
we are thoughts
with the family
another one too young
surely something
could be done
we are in queues
at food banks
taking the piss
wearing brand new Primarni clothes
holding our smartphones
worked all my life
and for what
we are immigrants
scroungers
dossers
moaners
and we
are at home here
