Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

At the party, we talked about our spouses
Her husband, she said, hated India
You see, he used to be a pilot, and the smell
Came up through the cabin
He made a point of flying high
I was chastened to think that
In our ignorance
We fly above the darkness and the dangers
Can morality be air-conditioned
I thanked her for this insight.

And, going home, resolved on action
First, the drop-out I rebuked severely
Look here, I said, why ask me for change
Instead of seeking work
Please understand employment
Is what gives status
Begging will only
Destroy your self-respect
Morality is rooted in the individual
He thanked me for my kind concern.

Then, in the street, I met three youths
Who asked me for my wallet
Now look, I said, it isn’t fair on us who work
To steal our property
I wonder, would you kindly
Put that knife away
Don’t you realise this kind of action
Rots the body politic
Morality is based on the community
They were effusive in their praise

In my house, I found an old school friend
Entertaining my wife without his trousers
Come on, I said, just think of what would happen
If we all did that
May I suggest you reconsider
And adjust your dress
Such conduct only serves
To undermine society
Morality is founded on the universal
His gratitude was plain to see

In bed, I told my wife about the party
The lady and my new policy
Tell me, I said, have I done enough to guarantee
The western way of life
If we all
Heeded the smell
And flew lower
Then surely
Morality would prevail
Fuck off, she said, and went to sleep