Cash | Poetry | Small Talk at 125th Ink

"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of."
- Jane Austen

White Egrets on the Moon

I got a rejection letter last week

and Walcott got fifteen grand,

the new Bright Eyes album leaked

and Walcott got fifteen grand.

Jo Shapcott got the Costa Prize

and Walcott got fifteen grand,

I got a pile of marking up to my eyes

and Walcott got fifteen grand.

The Kings Speech got its BAFTAS took

and Walcott got fifteen grand,

Todd Swift’s begging people to buy his book

and Walcott got fifteen grand.

Poetry can’t get bums on seats

and Walcott got fifteen grand.

There’s students rioting on the streets

and Walcott got fifteen grand.

Darwin got dug up by Ruth Padel

and Walcott got fifteen grand

Now she’s in residence at UCL

and Walcott got fifteen grand.

My kids are counting their UCAS score

and Walcott counts fifteen grand

Andy Gray gets called a dinosaur

and Walcott gets fifteen grand.

Barnsley’s people will soon be voting

and Walcott got fifteen grand,

I always leave my classroom door open

and Walcott leaves with fifteen grand.

The PBS made their e-deposit

and Walcott got fifteen grand,

I’ve got plenty of skeletons in my closet

and Walcott’s got fifteen grand.

Armitage is seeing stars

and Walcott sees fifteen grand

and Alice Oswald had her dart

and Walcott has fifteen grand

and Heaney had his human chain

and Walcott has his fifteen grand

and scandal’s superficial stain

is well worth fifteen grand.

What’s wrote is read, what’s said is heard

and Walcott got fifteen grand

but prizes blind us to the words

and Walcott got fifteen grand.

Muldoon’s still playing with his band

and Walcott got fifteen grand

And sat, silently watching the sea lick at the sand

is Walcott with his fifteen grand.

Phil Brown
Poetry Editor