Not Northern Enough
I am not northern enough
to be a radio poet –
not a McGough, a McMillan,
or a Normal kinda bloke.
I am not street enough
to holler as a slam artist,
not a Sia, Poppa E.,
or even Kate Tempest.
I am not black enough
to rhyme [with the best]
not MC Drake –
nor a Kanye West
I am not angry, outraged,
able to bark,
like Attila the Stockbroker
or John Cooper Clarke.
I am (Attila said)
‘that other poetry.’
In which case I’ll exult
with my southern dignity.