ON VIBRANCY

What stories do they tell themselves on

why they moved to this country and who

they are, when even a street here makes

a difference and identity is everything?

I know the lies from economics, claiming

the English can never do anything.

Perhaps it's true we're overrun and

I wish so many hadn't come.

I didn't want to feel abroad,

sitting alienated by violent

jabbering on buses, harsh

elbows, hints of aggression.

Poets never say this though

it's not a poem, thank Christ.