CITIZEN,

CITIZEN

I came across
Diogenes the philosopher
in the centre of Manchester

tight in
his barrel he sat, observing
everything,
cynically appraising
the escalation of vitriol
between the
cause of
the blue frauds versus
the red cartel as (to his
mind) it
grew ever nearer
to outright
civil
war

amused by the diatribes
and the impending
demise
    of football

nevertheless did not
wish
    to upset me by
further reminding

how much
he had
      taught me about
money and power

run
   away corruption

the curse
     of our
species

killing all
we love dear

I came across the philosopher
Diogenes
          paragon of wisdom

the Manchester Metropolitans
not yet
    got their
act together in
      moving him on.
   
   

THE AGUERO GOAL

THE AGUERO GOAL

The champagne was
almost in my mouth

when
you phoned to tell me
about the Aguero goal

four minutes into
time added on
that last
match of
the season

and me cursing and spluttering
we should have brought
that man
    brought that man

and now there is
a statue to him, and
now
   they have won everything

fairly or (yes)
very unfairly

they can whiteout
that moment in the books,
redact
     every painful
final second

but
burnt so
deep

try
as I might,
I will never forget