the work of John Anstie
They see our hard earned fortune there,
in marbled city suites,
floating on a silky sail,
the nap of leather seats.
We had the opportunity,
the pool of genes in code,
a secret reservation for
a public school and Spode.
We had the opportunity
to own the reason why,
that predicates no chance for those
unable to comply.
Our felony, was founded on
a life of common good,
to serve as flotsam in the sea
of guns and power and food.
Consuming guns and power and food,
an irony indeed
that helps the cause of those, who crave
a hope of being freed?
It’s more because they need the work
to feed their flesh and blood;
prevent starvation, declining health
and keep them from the flood.
But threats to blood will ensure
their easy motivation.
So much to recommend the source
of limitless privation.
They have much more, by way of help:
attention of the press;
the poets and the playwrights too,
but nothing of redress.
It’s irony to say ’twas fuelled,
on rapid growth by debt
who is to benefit thereby,
who is to win and, yet …
who is to say what fortune means
if nothing else but luck?
Should we condemn all those who have,
who wouldn’t give a buck
for those whose sad congenital crime,
their birthright, is to blame,
for them, their lot, their plight, their fight,
but who should feel the shame..?
– John Anstie
© 2013, poem and portrait (below), John Anstie, All rights reserved
JOHN ANSTIE (My Poetry Library and 42) ~ is a British poet and writer. We are happy to share this poem by way of a preliminary introduction to John and his work. John is joining us as part of the core team and will post under his own name.
Meanwhile, this multi-talented gentleman is self-described as a “Family man, Grandfather, Occasional Musician, Amateur photographer and Film-maker, Apple-MAC user, Implementation Manager, Engineer and general all-round good egg.” This he tells us with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Add grace and humor to the list.
John participates in d’Verse Poet’s Pub and is a primary player in New World Creative Union. He’s been blogging since 2009. John is also an active member of The Poetry Society (UK). He says of his work, “Much of my writing and my poetry focuses on the future and the important part that our children, and the way we treat them, play in this. It also spans a diversity of life’s experiences, some moving war poetry and particularly observations of life for a modern generation. I am in the process of steering a collaboration of grass roots poets to publication.” John’s poetry collection is about to hit the bookstores. More on that another day. Jamie Dedes
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