Guy Fawkes Night
Would we not also
seize our chance
to pit disorder against order
choose any pretext for violence
and unbounded revelry
if only we could light tar barrels
and roll them through the streets
or make our own Guy
from bundled rags and wood
to flame as if on Mischief Night
stealing from one another
to make our burning the best
I too would like to see
fireballs burning in the water like spirits
and fireboxes filled with rockets
and a mob of over a thousand
marching with an effigy
of the Whore of Babylon
“decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls
having a golden cup in her hand
full of abominations”
because I love when the world
spins with chaos and the night is lit
and I would like to see the fires dancing
also in your eyes as you smile
that we might pull down the pillars
of the house of patriarchy
calling to one another
ricket-a-racket, let the bells ring
and God save the King.
An effigy of Fawkes, burnt on 5 November 2010 at Billericay.
