31 OCTOBER MOCKING MORTALITY

IN THE USA  

THIS YEAR’S HALLOWEEN MUST-HAVE   

IS A TWELVE-FOOT HUMAN SKELETON   

YOUR OWN GHOULISH FLUNKY  

STRUNG UP AT THE FRONT DOOR    

WHEN DEATH LOOMS OVER US 

WE MAKE SPORT OF DEATH LOOMING OVER US!

AS IF TO SAY

WHO’S WALKING TALLER OUT OF THESE TWO? 

IN STRONG WINDS

AUTUMN LEAVES  

FLUTTER+DIVE LIKE BIRDS     

MOTHER+CHILD PULLED OUT ALIVE

18 HOURS AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

IN TURKEY’S THIRD CITY   

THE BBC REPORTER  SOUNDS SANCTIMONIOUS   

MONSTROUS THAT THIS IS WHAT I RECALL FROM THE REPORT    

PERHAPS IT’S TO DO WITH ENGLAND HEADING BACK INTO LOCKDOWN    

AS IF IN A FULL BODY SCANNER

AND THE ONLY THING IS TO KEEP YOUR EYES TIGHT SHUT    

MAYBE WE’LL STAY   

HEAD & SHOULDERS ABOVE?   

RISING TO THIS SECOND OCCASION         

WISHING NOT TO LOSE ALL SENSE OF PROPORTION  
WORRIED THAT WE ALREADY HAVE   
YOURS TRULY   
THE NEWS POET