Normal Bloke

[jisbell00]

Normal Bloke


In every field in England, lifted clear
above the encircling sea, where rook and crow
attend to their responsibilities,
you’ll see the grain rise from the muck to air.

It is an English crop. I still recall
my time spent in these provinces. I was
as green as grass, and my heart sallied forth
defenseless into morning. Now, the chords

on this guitar, this English voice, this still
small to-and-fro has found my heart again,
to pierce it. It is Billy Bragg, who will
come spinning through the years, as if my knees

and ankles were not older now. My eyes
cloud over, it is time for Wellingtons,
for brollies, for the coming rain. I can
just see the pebbled beach and Palace Pier,

the gulls that turn. The sea still does its rounds,
on this grey coast. “She’s mumbling in Latin,”
sings Bragg, who’s not afraid to speak the truth
to all who listen, like a normal bloke.

[Macavity]

Wellingtons and brollies , the clouded eyes and the 'disappearing' beach , though I feel the rain is already implied

[jisbell00]

Yes indeed! Rain from those clouded eyes perhaps. Though Blighty has its share of rain! I did enjoy putting the Wellingtons and brollies in there, though they might confuse American readers.

Cheers,
John

[David]

Hi John. This is a very nice outsider's (okay, relative outsider's) view of England. (As with Phil's "Bag", though, I would say it is crying out to be a rhyming poem.)

I like "where rook and crow /attend to their responsibilities", and your use of "green as grass". And the last two verses are particularly good. They rise to the challenge of the title.

I'm not sure most soi-disant (I like using "soi-disant" there) normal blokes in England now would approve of Billy Bragg, though. He's far too woke for the likes of them.

Cheers

David

P.S. "Woke" and "bloke" would be a good rhyme for you. There, I've started you off.

[jisbell00]

Hi David,

Yes, I suppose I am a relative outsider these days. Perhaps I always was! Glad you enjoyed the poem. I’ve worked in a little bit of rhyme but have yet to give the piece a major overhaul.
Thanks for picking out bits you especially liked! Yup, rook and crow. And it’s good to hear the ending works at present.
Ah, the soi-disant normal blokes! I imagine Billy Bragg might earn a laugh or two from many. Which is a shame, he works so hard to speak on their behalf.
Thanks for the rhyme!

Cheers,
John

[camus]

Hey John,

Enjoyed this slice of pastoral whimsy (if that's not doing it a disservice?) Some lovely turns of phrase.

I'd agree with David though, the 'Normal Bloke' is a contentious issue these days! Perhaps borrow verbatim from the man himself and call it 'William Bloke'

Cheers
Kris

[jisbell00]

Thanks, Kris! Glad you enjoyed it.

Normal blokes are contentious in the US as well - they are likely to vote for the fascist these days. Perhaps the Bragg line is the way to go.

Cheers,
John

[camus]

[David]

Hi David,

Yes, I suppose I am a relative outsider these days. Perhaps I always was!

Hi John. Perhaps I have misunderstood your status. I have always thought you were an American who had been partly, at least, educated in the UK. Did I get that wrong? If so, I apologise.

Cheers

David

[jisbell00]

Hi David,

Nope, that is correct! Came here in 1974, aged eleven, left in 1993. When I left, I had pretty completely assimilated, but it's quite possible my extensive problems finding a university job here after the Ph.D. had some ties to my passport (though I then had permanent residency). Perhaps i always was an outsider.

Cheers,
John

[David]

Hi David,

Nope, that is correct! Came here in 1974, aged eleven, left in 1993.

Ah, I wasn't too far out then. That's good.

Cheers

David

[jisbell00]

John