what nobody else knows
the cities,
with alleyways and courtyards
where only the locals go

another average man
tells women, just how it is
even i am amazed
and i have never wanted to be a feminist
i do not like the heights
and there are too many cliffs

here is the chaos
the failed economics
the greed,
and the hate
we have pushed open that gate

at the boatyard
you want to build a boat
one with a reasonable chance
one that will alway float
but none of us at the boatyard
buy the joke,

progressive politics –
has not failed
from reasonable working hours
to comfortable living
progressive politics for you
has in fact, being all giving

whenever i see a father –
hug their son
i am always, always slightly undone
whenever i see a father –
who is proud
there is always a voice of longing in me

truth is distilled
fermented by your fear
hate is chilled
and compassion is small beer