I Say I Say I Say by Simon Armitage

Simon Armitage

I Say I Say I Say by Simon Armitage

T.

Studying repetition for my manuscript. Was researching and found this:

I Say I Say I Say

Simon Armitage

Anyone here had a go at themselves

for a laugh? Anyone opened their wrists

with a blade in the bath? Those in the dark

at the back, listen hard. Those at the front

in the know, those of us who have, hands up,

let’s show that inch of lacerated skin

between the forearm and the fist. Let’s tell it

like it is: strong drink, a crimson tidemark

round the tub, a yard of lint, white towels

washed a dozen times, still pink. Tough luck.

A passion then for watches, bangles, cuffs.

A likely story: you were lashed by brambles

picking berries from the woods. Come clean, come good,

repeat with me the punch line ‘Just like blood’

when those at the back rush forward to say

how a little love goes a long long long way.

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