by H. B. O’Neill

 

I’m watching you

An announced candidacy and a strong confident wave

I’ve seen this show before

A handshake with past party leaders and a practised smile as the camera pops

I know exactly what you’re going to do

A suitably-proud spouse and well-groomed kids carefully placed to strike a pose

Assemble the pawns and arrange the pieces

First a cheery greeting from the polished door of a garish bus with a brazen slogan

Here we go

Now surround yourself with placards and a well-drilled army of on-cue applauders

A familiar angst is returning

Then spout repeated practised soundbites and shamelessly flip every unwelcome question

The jagged bile is rising 

Promptly proceed to pub to pull the pint then bend and kiss the bemused and innocent baby

Savage inner torment

Next dash to an amenable school where placid infants can be visited and read a familiar story

Intense cranial pounding

Fast forward to the factory floor and heap praise upon the corralled blue-collared workers

Twisting claw behind my eyeball

Proceed to pop to a friendly cafe and launch a boisterous attempt on the totemic bacon sarnie

Acute watery diarrhoea 

All the while remembering to repeat the oh so important all-encompassing promise of change

Dire fear of bladder prolapse 

Focus. Maintain the message. Cower behind the comfort of clichés. Do it all again tomorrow.

Or don’t.

Please don’t.

Don’t do any of it.

Just don’t.

Please…  

 

 

Copyright H. B. O’Neill 2019

 

H. B. O’Neill is a London-born writer inspired by the city and its myriad of opportunities for comedy, pain, drama and adventure. He is a proud resident of Barking and Dagenham and determined to help steer the borough to the pinnacle of literary esteem. He is a prize-winning poet and short story writer, a screenwriter, playwright and author. His much-anticipated novel, According to Mark, is due to be published soon.

www.hboneill.com and twitter @ArthurShilling