Minding My Own

Slow and steady, know your enemies (and remember you have friends) Fear not, you have a sharp stone in your clenched fist. All choice is yours.

'Bide your time and strike'- Jimmy Heather-Hayes

The words are from a longer poem and I do not remember the poem in its entirety as I lost the printed leaflet which had the poem on it. I have given the final line. The opening line is 'I'm locked up in the system.'

(James H H was a good poet and punk rocker who died in police custody in London many years ago when in his early twenties.

My ex,  David P Leadbetter worked for Inquest.a small organisation funded by the Greater London Council which looked into deaths in police and prison custody.It was an independent watchdog,

I met James' mother Sheila and his sister Fran when I spent a morning doing voluntary work by attempting to take down another inquest in a London court in shorthand. My shorthand was not up to much although I had done a short office skills course at Kilburn Poly. I never got it together to transcribe and hand in my notes. I believe Fran did a better job.)

Apologies for indulging in and sharing my real but not too cheerful memories. I like your poem, Smokejack 

I wish long life and good health to all of us in Abctales

All the best 

Rach