Our poems for this issue are by poet, musician and comedienne Liz Bentley.  Liz has performed at Ledbury Poetry Festival, Latitude and Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2007.  She's the first ever winner of Short Fuse Poetry Idol and the only ever winner of Poetry Idol the Rivals.  She has published a book of short stories, poems and songs entitled Tales in the Deep End (Eatlatinandie Books). Check out her Edinburgh show on www.myspace.com/lizbentleyperformer

Buttercups and Daisies

In the days post punk explosion, I was young and bored as fuck
It was the age of developing anarchy, life was high but I was stuck
Oh what drugs I’d take to keep, suicide thoughts and song too deep
In the days post punk explosion, what did I do for fun?

I picked buttercups, I picked daisies, I would wander in the new mown hay
For a little variation, I’d go gathering nuts in May

I indulged in warehouse parties, acid, mushrooms, speed and coke
As I danced to the Butthole Surfers, I passed around a splif to toke
Then there’d be a sudden shout, all at once the lights went out
I crashed out where I fell down, but what do you think I dreamt of?

I dreamt of buttercups I dreamt of daisies, dreamt of wandering in the new mown hay
When I woke in a pile of vomit, I went crackers like nuts in may

I recall one night in Gossips, Charlie Harper took me home
We sat together in his garden, he kissed me and I caressed his gnome
But the UK subs did cast a gloom, videos playing in the living room
Charlie sussed and asked what I’d like, I right away replied

I want to pick buttercups I want to pick daisies, want to wander in the new mown hay
When he said he’d come now with me, he went crackers nuts in May

Now grownup and on medication, life is sweet and very pure
I keep a job and pay my council tax, watch the soaps and keep the brownie law
In my leisure time I go, to my garden where I grow

I grow cannabis, I pick mushrooms, take them to outpatients every day
When the therapists leave for break time, we go nuts…..like nutters.

Happy Childhood

I had lots of sex

Then I went to school         

Killing a Cyclist
No indication, levitation
No indication, levitation
No indication, levitation
No indication, levitation
Onto my bonnet
Onto my bonnet
Onto my bonnet
Onto my bonnet
Squashed with a squirrel
Squashed with a squirrel
Squashed with a squirrel
Squashed with a squirrel
I had my seat belt, where was your hat?
You’ve ruined my life you environmental twat