Roger Mcgough

Survivor

Everyday, I think about dying. About disease, starvation, Violence, terrorism, war, The end of the world. It helps Keep my mind off things.

The Lesson

Chaos ruled OK in the classroom As bravely the teacher walked in The nooligans ignored him Hid voice was lost in the din “The theme for today is violence And homework will be set

Goodbat Nightman

God bless all policemen And fighters of crime, May thieves go to jail For a very long time. They’ve had a hard day Helping clean up the town, Now they hang from the mantelpiece

The Identification

So you think its Stephen? Then I’d best make sure Be on the safe side as it were. Ah, theres been a mistake. The hair You see, its black, now Stephens fair… Whats that?

The Leader

I wanna be the leader I wanna be the leader Can I be the leader? Can I? I can? Promise? Promise? Yippee I’m the leader I’m the leader OK what shall we do?

The Trouble with Snowmen

‘The trouble with snowmen,’ Said my father one year ‘They are no sooner made Than they just disappear. I’ll build you a snowman And I’ll build it to last Add sand and cement And

First Day at School

A millionbillionwillion miles from home Waiting for the bell to go. (To go where?) Why are they all so big, other children? So noisy? So much at home they Must have been born in

Let Me Die a Youngman's Death

Let me die a youngman’s death Not a clean and inbetween The sheets holywater death Not a famous-last-words Peaceful out of breath death When I’m 73 And in constant good tumour May I be

You and I

I explain quietly. You Hear me shouting. You Try a new tack. I Feel old wounds reopen. You see both sides. I See your blinkers. I Am placatory. You Sense a new selfishness. I