Were Were Your Placards and Banners?

Where Were Your Placards and Banners?

why are people angry now?
why were they not angry then?
with services cut
and people forced into –
simplistic means of production
with no real value of their being
with the state –
conspicuous in its absence –
in its role of moral guardian
with its lack of investment in people
and the non acceptance of migration
even though it enriches us –
both financially and in the fabric of our society

why are people angry now?
whey were people not on the streets –
with their placards and banners
when teachers could not teach
because the funding did not reach
when the police are cut to the bone
and can no longer police their beat
with privatised prisons –
and social care on its knees
with real world NHS cuts
and students burdened with debts and fees
why were people not angry then?
they are angry now, because i note
they they want –
that one more chance for one more vote
but for some time, many many people
have been struggling to float
perhaps – you should think about that
and offer them your coat

James Garratt – Sunday 2nd June 2019