Back in March of this year, I competed in the National Slam Poetry final which was held in NCAD, Dublin. It was sponsored and judged by members of Poetry Ireland and altogether, it was an incredible experience to see poetry so alive within the youth of today.
Afterwards, I kind of didn’t know what to do with the poem. It’s a performance poem so I thought maybe a video, a recording or a live set would suit it best. But then I remembered I’m a writer not a stand up, more-so anyway.
I was informed yesterday via email that I had made the Longlist for the Irish Blog Awards 2016 (yipee!) so I thought no better way to celebrate than releasing this poem to my very own place, this blog.
I hope you enjoy it, thanks to everyone who has taken an interest in “Cathy In Conversation”.
“A Political Poem”
By Cathy Lee
I donât write political poetry
But I can
Thereâs nothing stopping me
Just a bit of research and insight,
Little bit of brain power:
Itâs never out of sight,
The power is mine
I donât swim long-distance,
But Iâm sure I could.
A little bit of resilience and resistance.
Give it some time,
Sure didnât my mother have me swimming since I would walk?
And my legs are still mine
I havenât painted a masterpiece,
But I could try.
Little bit of focus, my hands and my mind.
Keep the point to the brush and visit the hushed galleries,
We all need a bit of inspiration –
And my hands are mine
I donât have a PHD
But really, whatâs to stop me?
I always did want to reach higher.
I have a brain inside this skull,
and I really should use it to the full
Sure isnât it mine?
I could use my legs for good,
To flee from this green isle.
Go on a trial, somewhere fresh and new
Not like the Catholic school grounds I knew.
I have a passport, the ability to pack
Whatâs to stop me never coming back?
I have used my hands for good too
Recently,
I used my hands to make demands
I put my views down on ballot paper.
I voted for change, I wished and hoped
And saw a slap returned to me.
A national let down,
But as I said, I donât write political poetry.
I also donât have abortions
And I canât
Because the state has rules over my body.
It doesnât matter what my legs, hands, brain or power can do
This fact remains the same.
say goodbye to a stable government,
say slĂĄn to repeal the eight
and hello to a mixed range of politics
of TDâs filled with hate
thanks for letting the progression digress,
cheers for the recession
and the maintenance grant that I didnât get,
because only one of my parents is in oppression.
Old fiends now friends, those FFâs
I remember the cunning smiles of your devils dressed
The suits and ties, telling the lies
On repeat far and wide
Keep smiling, itâs what you are trained for
Donât Nama own you all?
Or was it the Treaty of Lisbon,
That fix or âchange of mindâ
Are we to see the same again,
When the decision makers canât do just that.
Donât say you called it,
Donât go down to Paddy power and try your luck
Canât make a buck around here anyway,
Have you seen the tax rates?
Inflation fluctuates
While we wait in hope
For the coming of the centenary year,
So we can be “different” from our peers
Those Europeans didnât invent republican revolution,
No sure it was just Irish
Werenât we told that in school?
The school that has religion compulsory
And demands youâve had that dash of water tossed over your head before entry,
Are you saying I wasnât born holy?
Ah letâs then talk about the unborn.
Probably has more rights than me now
The state have a say donât they?
In Ireland we talk about the weather over tea
Pity the same isnât done by the rulers of the country.
Choosing to be concerned about a concept
When the time suits.
Climate changes isnât waiting for us to finish up our economic plan.
Neither are the women traveling to England each day.
But sure time doesnât exist,
Thereâll be another election yet.
What waste?