On First Hearing

On First Hearing

The 'Supa Funky' double blue CD,
Which I bought, two pounds off, in Sainsbury's.
I found, I fell into a world of Alice
Changes. Psychedelic, rhythmic politics,
Even songs I knew, now grew with context.
'If you didn't have soul, you wouldn't be in here.'
The Starsky and Hutch theme, how funky was that?
And not only was I smacked by acid jazz,
I discovered that, in fact, I was black.
Which came as quite a shock to me,
Especially at the age of forty-nine.

My brain and legs are feeling fresh;
I've danced two tracks without a rest.
So next time you're on a shopping trip,
Don't just stick with those cheesy dips,
Honey.
Perhaps I will have that cup of tea.

Date mostly written: 2002