Long Hot Summer

IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER - 1989

I pressed the radio switch to hear the news
For world-wide events and international views.
Drought, cricket scores, aging politician dies,
Environmental comment; congestion of our skies...
`And in Southampton there has been a fire,
Three brothers under five are dead,
The temperature soars even higher.
Long tail-back on M27..' the reader said,
`Drivers advised to use another route instead.'

`Three children died.' I heard the reader say,
`Drivers are advised to go another way.'
Poll tax, exports, cocaine traffickers are seized.
Environmental comment, `The Government is pleased.
Mortgage rates will rise, jobless figures fall,'
A mother's little boys are dead,
`Proms broadcast from the Albert Hall.'
A monotone relentlessly to the last word,
`A riot in a Chinese Square has just occurred.'

`In Southampton three little boys are dead.'
Then the bulletin had ended, news was read.
Fire was out, sirens ceased, firemen left the scene.
Environmental ashes where once a home had been.
`And in Southampton there has been a blaze,
The East-bound carriageway is blocked,
Please will you find alternate ways.
Three children died today in a Southampton fire,
Tomorrow day-time temperatures will rise still higher.'

1989.