My name is Robert Punton I am a social justice, Socialist, anti-racist activist and poet with many years and miles marched behind me. Hopefully, many more ahead of me once we are released from this pandemic lock down.
As one the founder members of Poets Against Racism, I was honoured to join wonderfully talented poets from across the Midlands as they celebrated the 2nd anniversary of Enchanted. A wonderfully titled group which lives up to and goes beyond its name. Everyone there was enchanting and their work whether songs performed, stories told, or poetry delivered were inspiring.
It is rewarding to share a platform with such talented people at any time, but right now when we are facing such uncertain troubling times, it is especially important to spend time and a stage with such inspirational people. It matters not whether it be a virtual or physical platform
This was my first time being involved with this group I truly it not my last.
Here is the set I performed on Sunday 31st May wonderful evening.
I beg your pardon, oh, Boris darling
you always promised me a rose garden
You know it is us against them, and us knows best
With the sunshine some shit flows sometimes
But these plebs must know that our way
Is the only way this is going, as to Bernard Castle we ride
As we set the tide society must come astride
Whatever happens this Cummings is not going
We will never stand down be pushed aside
Stand firm Boris darling it will take a revolution
To get rid of the likes of us,
we know that will never happen here
So, on we stride with immodest pride
Keep our hawk-like eye on the ultimate prize
knowing glory is our bride and capitalism is our king
the prospects of these people count for nothing
As this pandemic plays out
Lights go out all over the world
The lights I speak of are living souls
Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Jew, religion matters not
Creed or colour is no defence, no protection
Ability or disability is no shield
To this horror we all can yield
Covid-19 hits us all
Care and compassion is what we can all wield
As we ]take to the field in defence
So, once this lock down is picked
We are once more set free
Look up to the night skies
Where stars are born, to mark the passing of souls
Gives praise for those we have lost
Be assured to those who care, those who matter
Your lives mattered; we will honour you; we will remember you
I call a pox on those in power
Not because of the pandemic
More the way they handled it
How their actions have made me
Others feel and fear
Before I would roll out ride out
Without any fear or foreboding
I saw putting social injustice right as my role
Be it rain sleet snow or shine I would march
Shout loud and proud for the causes I fought
Now I cower in the corner of my home
My house has me imprisoned through lock down
Afraid to put foot or footplate passed my front door
In case the comrades I once stood proud beside
Infect me cause my death by getting too close
You have turned me into this timid creature
One who would before ride, now prefers to hide
I curse you, as I wonder,
will I ever be the carefree campaigner I was before
so, I call the pox down upon you for causing this anxiety
