Saturday, 5 July 2025

Ascent

 

Ascent

 

Lingering somewhere at the back of the mind

is the thought that you arose

from primeval slime,

dragged up combing algae from your hair -

it’s not a pretty one, I suppose.

I’ve heard it’s locked in your genetic code

and that it was something of a struggle

for single celled organisms

ascending from soup to get a bigger bang

out of one night stands -

you’d be queuing for nine hours of more.

That’s you at the door – a groundling

and if you want your supper

you’d better sing - only allowed to bring

two cans, one for her, one for him.

You say you like the taste of Pimms,

but I’m not buying it.

All that’s swimming in prebiotic broth

left you knackered, puffed out,

but you’ll tackle the climb gamely.

They flirted with calling it Murray’s Mount,

but reverted to type

when they saw that flick about a Welsh hill

with ideas above its station.

A representative of your nation,

intent on planting a flag

before some Norwegians get there first,

better band together, form a group,

Tim’s in the studio, soundbites on a loop -

and Lennon could’ve sampled that -

maybe rain tomorrow, you never know,

herded in through the gates and off you go

with a whistle and a quick blow.

Find a likely spot, cock a leg, spray,

here’s twin screens showing play,

so affect some interest

and if the camera picks you out - wave,

look at me, ma, top of the world,

And with every shout your breaths do mingle –

munching on the last picnic at hanging rock,

stench of strawberry stout, lager top,

egg and cress, potted salmon paste

and all about you, there’s waste -

a cluttered collection of birthday wrap,

making for such jocund company

that flutters and dances in the breeze

tangled amongst daffodils, snagged in trees,

time, gentlemen and new balls, please.

That slime that coalesced into thought

is just a muffled scream from a distant court,

full of sound, fury, 12 man jury,

all stifled roars, muted claps,

and your line judge sports his old black cap -

calls it, bringing play to an end,

left wondering why you bothered to ascend.





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