the people
bright-coloured half-knotted ties entangled exclusively
with short-sleeved fake polo shirts and contrasting hoops
sport tracksuits unused for exercise, with burberry caps
shaven skulls and harsh glances rupture the midday sunlight
skinny scarves, long black coats, curly greasy hair
obligatory headbanging and white headphones
denim miniskirts, midriff-exposing summer tops
glossy lips and dark eyes, make-up shall never melt
the city
flashing lights redgreenblueyellow overwhelm the distant stars
widen the pupils, extend the migrane, tingle the retina
late night dancegaragehiphopreggaesoulrockindieemo
hide the bottle smashing antics and fisticuffs
crashing from the alleyways to the streets, don't walk
don't run. swagger. the blood, the sweat, the beer
taste like piss, mainstream liquids always did
loveithateit paint the town red, paint the town dead
the hate
blue-redred-bluered-redblue-blue, it never ceases
to amaze, rivalry and hatred, friendship and camaraderie
small knives and last stands, kicking nuts and not balls
burning the bleeding cross, stamping the star-shitted banner
the colour of your team, not the colour of your skin
scouser, geordie, mancunian, cockney, brummie
when did the flower forget to keep growing, keep extending
from the sixty times, from the barrel of the gun
the end
when it all falls down, flag at half-mast, scarves held proudly
the tears will flow from the streets to the coast, the city
to the village, head to head, scum to scum, man to man
light pockets and heavy hearts, we're all english.
