Punishment
Kin though we are, should one of your good selves
cross the line, stray from those darkened,
end-stopped ginnels and ways, step from the switchbacks
into our lamp-lit lanes, our metalled streets
with their sleeping policemen and cats' eyes,
with their blue plaques and Neighbourhood Watch signs,
then an unwritten rule comes into play.
Kith though we are, we point to our titles
and deeds, and the right is reserved to bring
an axe-head down on a trespasser's wrist.
Here's how it works: before our hatchet-man
sizes the flesh - like a family butcher
pricing his cut - we ask for your best hand,
right or left. Tell us the truth and we hack the other mitt.
Lie and we dock both.
Remember those school desks? The top flips up
and doubles as a chopping board. Now drop
those fancy cufflinks in the inkwell, friend, and sign off.
- Simon Armitage.
cross the line, stray from those darkened,
end-stopped ginnels and ways, step from the switchbacks
into our lamp-lit lanes, our metalled streets
with their sleeping policemen and cats' eyes,
with their blue plaques and Neighbourhood Watch signs,
then an unwritten rule comes into play.
Kith though we are, we point to our titles
and deeds, and the right is reserved to bring
an axe-head down on a trespasser's wrist.
Here's how it works: before our hatchet-man
sizes the flesh - like a family butcher
pricing his cut - we ask for your best hand,
right or left. Tell us the truth and we hack the other mitt.
Lie and we dock both.
Remember those school desks? The top flips up
and doubles as a chopping board. Now drop
those fancy cufflinks in the inkwell, friend, and sign off.
- Simon Armitage.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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*turns on lamp*
Ok jal, what'd you do. and why'd you do it. spill da beans.Posted 09-12-2009 at 11:57 AM by Alent 
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Oh noes, Alent sees all!Posted 09-12-2009 at 06:06 PM by Jalousie -
It better be something cool, like throwing whiskey bottles at police cars, or taking a joyride in a helicopter.Posted 09-13-2009 at 10:38 PM by Turkson - You caught me... I brought down a police helicopter with a whiskey bottle.
Posted 09-14-2009 at 05:24 AM by Jalousie
