A fixed-by-screws poster
of A Clockwork Orange –
it stares down one-eyed
at Waterstone’s cafe [full
of caffeine sippers – sup
of Moloko Plus off menu
for now] – an auld man &
his broken novel sit rare
among rum families – he
coughs loudly & draws a
look of post-viral disgust
among other drinkers – a
pot of green tea’ll cure it
for me [bent to my book
& out of that place] – We
will rally from dystopia’s
brief rehearsal – until we
succumb again to failure
& those gung-ho crowds
of bowler-hatted thugs –
drink up your sedative &
stay shtum ’bout parties
[now truths’ll be re-writ]