Poem 477

Scaffolding full of workmen howling at women in the street … I snapped (unusual for me) – it could have turned out badly … left me contemplating not for the first time whether this was the nation for me … 

( I like the double meaning of the title … )

Up The (Construction) Workers

If I could keep this country
for the good
alright
             but this morning
             jerks screaming out
             the high yaps
             of jackals
             and I had to make a ring
with my hand
let it drift 
lazily
up and down

                            it wasn't wise
                            to call them wankers
too clear a thing
this hand stroking
a cylinder in the air
                                       it makes me afraid
                                       something is going to happen

                                       that I can't stay here