#british
(after midnight, with bad intentions)
A chubby moon slouches behind the bar,
spilling silver like a drunk who overshares,
round with secrets,
and just a little out of breath from existing.
Life has been unkind to her
you can tell by the way she wears it:
like a dress one size too small,
stitched by regret,
unzipping itself in all the right places.
Her beauty refuses discipline.
Buttons wave white flags.
Fabric negotiates, loses.
Curves stage quiet rebellions,
the kind that make saints forget their prayers
and philosophers misplace their arguments.
Even the soul, poor thing,
kicks at its ribcage
like a tenant behind on rent.
I thought
why not be useful?
Why not commit a small miracle of distraction?
So I leaned in,
voice soft enough to be mistaken for trouble:
“What’s your name, darling?”
She smiled
not kind, not cruel,
but the sort of smile that has ruined better men
for less.
*** she said,
polished in an English accent,
as if the word had gone to finishing school.
*** I repeated,
rolling it slowly on the tongue
like expensive sin.
“Beautiful. Truly poetic. Shakespeare would blush.”
She raised an eyebrow
history itself briefly reconsidered.
“And what,” I asked,
“does one drink in the presence of such a masterpiece?”
She leaned closer
close enough to rearrange my good intentions
her voice now a conspiracy:
“Something strong,” she said,
“because subtlety clearly isn’t your strength.”
I nodded, wounded but willing.
“Fair,” I said.
“Then pour me whatever makes bad decisions feel like philosophy.”
She laughed
and for a moment the moon behind her
looked jealous.
Apr 16
Apr 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM UTC
I am British,
but what does that mean?
Where did I come from; and
...who am I?
Let's start with the map of my blood-line - just after the earth thawed.
This changed many shorelines under; many tides.
I came walking over the now lost expanse of 'Doggerland',
blue-eyed and dark-skinned.
I carried flint in my hand.
Moving like a slow wave from the warmer Eastern climes,
I am now the farmers.
I carry with me the secret of the seed
I am the heavy stone to turn the soil of my chalky downlands.
I built circles to worship the sun
I added a sprinkle of knowledge brought by the Beaker people,
their use of copper
and their 'Eurasian' songs which were sung.
Together we rewrote the genetic code of the whole of my island - and all in just a few hundred years!
I was a genetic flood
a tide that never really turned.
I built my story in many layers. I am 'Celtic' with added iron-age. I am 'Celtic' innovation and agriculture - but I am also Roman.
My dead straight roads brought the world to my gate
as well as my soldiers from the Rhine.
I became merchants from the 'Atlas Mountains'.
I am 'Angles', 'Saxons' and 'Jutes'
carving my names into the very soil on which you stand.
Names featuring 'Ham', 'Ton', and 'Ley'
turning my island into a patchwork quilt of kingdoms
before came the dragon-ships ...and I became Viking!
I planted the Norse roots in me, into the cold northern soil.
Hear the many vowels which can still be heard on my tongue.
Later I am Norman.
I became a builder of stone towers
and I took their Latin word
changing my tongue
...but not my heart
and that tide; also never turned!
So who am I,
what does 'British' mean?
I am as British is the Huguenot weaver.
I am the fleeing Jew
running from persecution - and who is still running.
I am the 'Windrush' generation.
Hopeful souls who came on ocean liners from the colonies - to build a better life.
I am the doctor from Punjab,
the sailor from Canton.
I am a small part of everything they brought.
I am a trillion drops of rain that became an ocean.
I belong to nowhere - because I come from everywhere.
I am the strong "island nation".
I am the "genetic mosaic" which covers this islands floor.
I have been made over thousands of years
I am migration of all kinds - the result of immigrants
and that is what I feel
that is what I mean by...
being British
Jan 2
Jan 2, 2026 at 8:20 AM UTC
When she starred in 'Keeping Up Appearances', she did a great job.
She starred as Hyacinth Bucket and Hyacinth was a snob.
Patricia was a British actress and she was a Dame.
Now that she's gone, England won't be the same.
When she starred as Hyacinth, she was ashamed of her sisters.
Patricia was very talented and all of her fans sure will miss her.
She was ninety-six years old and it's so sad because she had to die.
All of her fans are unhappy because they're having to say goodbye.
Oct 4, 2025
Oct 4, 2025 at 7:34 AM UTC
In 1959 as a boy soldier, living in a barrack room with thirty other boys, the moments enabling private thought were rare and to be cherished. My quiet time was always when polishing the brasses of my equipment in preparation for the morning parade. But one had to be very careful, because the brass furnishings of our whitened belts, and our blancoed belts and the awful gaiters we had to wear, were potential disasters which required very careful navigation; as were the many crevasses of hat badge, tunic button and collar dog; for brass, when moved across the blancoed or the whitened surface, leaves behind a pencil-like mark, and Brasso, if not wholly removed, will dry to a white, visible crust. All of which provides manna to hostile, inspecting authority. Hence the inevitable morning parade apprehension. But in those days, we were told it - all of it - was to the benefit of the Army, providing the foundation for its great victories and its heroes. Hence this little verse:
Polished, a glorious, glittering gleam.
Always done using Brasso and brush,
Midst the bustle, the turmoil - one's own little dream.
One's own quiet moment despite morning's rush.
Concentrate, carefully, do not smear the tunic
For Brasso will leave a nasty, white stain.
And you will then have to face all that music.
And on Saturday morning do it again.
It is not as though there's a fault he can pick.
He always takes time to inspect everyone.
And, as with your cleaning you used button stick,
If everything's fastened, there's nought to be done.
So, why are you anxious about the parade?
What could there possibly be to go wrong?
For this is the way that soldiers are made,
Those heroes much vaunted in poem and song.
Well, that's what I thought. That's what they said.
So, imagine the horror, and how surprised
They will be, those heroes, now long dead,
To learn buttons and badges are anodised.
And of course, what price Velcro?
Sep 16, 2025
Sep 16, 2025 at 6:24 PM UTC
At first, I was a tree —a blade of grass...—a cloud....
My eye saw and my skin felt — I did breath in the butterfly
So close to Nature–as–God was I that...
Romanced her she did to me
Then, with a rending that tore all asunder,
Iron AND
Steel AND
Coal AND
THUNDER of...
Machines pounding pounding pounding and...
Ripping and ripping and ripping
With a mighty roaring of engines came
The Victorian Era bound up in all its pain.
Sep 8, 2025
Sep 8, 2025 at 7:55 PM UTC
The blight swept Irish fields, crops crumbled to dust,
They starved on barren land, betrayed by false trust.
The ships sailed for England, with bellies of grain,
While coffins piled high, in the cold bitter rain.
Hollowed by dire famine, Irish voices grew weak,
Their language was silenced, each time they dared speak.
Irish songs were forbidden, their faith forced to hide,
While English law reigned, with its power and pride.
The green Irish valleys, flowed crimson with dead,
In Derry and Belfast, shattered streets bled red.
“The Troubles” unleashed bombs, the air burned with fire,
As brother fought brother, in streets choked with ire.
Murals of martyrs stared grim, from brazen walls,
Names whispered softly, in dim candlelit halls.
Cruel soldiers in armour, patrolled every street,
And children knew fear, before finding their feet.
Yet under the weight, of the rifle and rule,
They clung to their stories, in bard’s ancient school.
The harp still was strummed, beneath the cloak of night,
Keeping the flame of their souls, forever bright.
British sons too felt lost, on streets far from home,
Their names carved in stone, where the mourners still roam.
They carried the weight, of a war not their choice,
And spoke of their loss, in a trembling voice.
One day ****** guns, fell to silence at last,
Though deep scars in their hearts, still clung to the past.
Hands crossed worn lines, where the blood once did flow,
And seeds of a fragile, wary bond did grow.
They’ll never forget, those they buried in clay,
Nor the pain that forged, who they are to this day.
They now share their markets, their music, their trade,
New bonds have been woven, though old wounds won’t fade.
Two peoples once torn, bruised by conflict and dread,
Now walk side by side, down the road still ahead.
The border once guarded, with watchtowers and wire,
Now welcomes the traveller, without armed attire.
And if two proud isles, can crawl out of their gloom,
Perhaps other nations, can defy their own doom.
Walk away from their ruins, with hands intertwined,
And heal ancient wounds, in the hearts of mankind.
– Tom Vassos, Canadian Author, Astronomer
Aug 10, 2025
Aug 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM UTC
The Gunners' cry,
Where right and glory lead.
Spirits soar high,
Legacies live on
Unbroken by destiny.
Through shot and shell,
Through peace and war,
Until duty is finally done.
Ubique always,
In faith and brotherhood.
©️Lizzie Bevis
Jul 6, 2025
Jul 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM UTC
A talented man has died and he's gone for eternity.
Prentis Hancock has died at the age of eighty-three.
This great man came into this world in 1942.
He starred in "Space: 1999" and "Doctor Who".
Millions are mourning because his life came to an end.
They are all sorry because they will never see him again.
He was a very important member of the Human Race.
It's sad to know that he's dead and can't be replaced.
When I say he went to Heaven, it's something I'm certain of.
All of his fans are saying goodbye to this man who they love.
Jun 11, 2025
Jun 11, 2025 at 6:22 AM UTC
My name is Umrao Jaan. I am a Tawaif, an Indian Classical Dancer, Singer
My other names are Saheb e jaan, Nargis, and Anarkali, many names I have
I am trained in fine arts like classical dancing and music by ustaads or teachers
My work was to entertain kings, noblemen and wealthy patrons who visited my court.
My court is known as a kotha in the Hindi Language, my residence and workplace
Here I reside with my family, my sisters in trade and our fellow musicians.
We are financially well off, but what we yearn for, love and respect, we do not get
Trained as artists who entertain kings and nobility, we are sadly now disrespected
Our services now are desired not for their true value but to satisfy desires.
The desires of wealthy men who treat us as concubines but will never respect us
Sadly, the nobility and value of our profession have been eroded completely now.
This erosion started with the British Raj when they colonised India
They never valued our services and degraded us to the level of vaishyas(prostitutes)
The evil that men do lives on after them, and the good they do is buried in their bones
Even after India gained independence, the cultural values of the Tawaifs were never restored
It died with the end of the reign of Akbar, Shah Jahan and other Mughal kings
May 25, 2025
May 25, 2025 at 4:19 AM UTC
He was an actor and a singer and his name was Mike Berry.
If you're wondering how talented he was, the answer is very.
He starred in "Are You Being Served" and "Worzel Gummidge" as well.
When it came to being a British singer and actor, he was bound to excel.
He also starred in one episode of "The Bill" and "Scatterbrook Days".
Mike Berry had millions of fans who are sad because he passed away.
Apr 22, 2025
Apr 22, 2025 at 10:56 AM UTC
He was very tall, he stood six feet five.
He died too young, he couldn't survive.
He wrote "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy" and some episodes of "Doctor Who".
Dying at the young age of forty-nine was tragic and that's certainly true.
He died nearly a quarter of a century ago and he won't be coming back.
He was a British man and people were sad when he died of a heart attack.
When this talented man died, it was a devastating blow.
I wish he could've lived longer but it was his time to go.
Feb 11, 2025
Feb 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM UTC
When he left us, he left us too soon.
He starred in 13 episodes of "Tycoon".
It was a day that all of his fans were sure to hate.
Christopher left us at the young age of fifty-eight.
He starred in "The Distracted Preacher" and "The Boy Friend".
Many people were surprised when his life came to an end.
In addition to being an actor, Gable was a ballet dancer.
This talented man lost his life in 1998 because of cancer.
He starred as "Sharaz Jek" when he starred in Doctor Who.
Christopher was a special individual and that's certainly true.
Aug 31, 2024
Aug 31, 2024 at 10:38 AM UTC
It was a day that classic Doctor Who fans would certainly hate.
We said goodbye to the man who starred as Captain Mike Yates.
His death was even more sad because he died on Christmas Day.
Millions of his fans have missed him ever since he passed away.
People loved his performances and Richard Franklin was his name.
Now that he's deceased, fans of Doctor Who will never be the same.
He starred in one episode of "Harry" and nine episodes of "Crossroads".
When he starred in "Emmerdale Farm", he starred in over thirty episodes.
He was a British actor with talent and that's something people can't deny.
It was sad and heartbreaking when his fans were forced to say goodbye.
Aug 10, 2024
Aug 10, 2024 at 10:56 AM UTC
1.Even at the age of forty four,
I can't escape a lifetime trend.
For what's always been my fatal flaw,
is messing things up RIGHT at the end.
2. You can guarantee that, in the final furlong,
or, as the clock strikes the eleventh hour.
Despite my best efforts, something will go wrong,
and matters will turn decidedly sour.
3. You've displayed great competence throughout your shift,
and are feeling glad to be alive.
But when you cash up, you can't help but be miffed,
when you completely ****** up tills four and five.
4. I carefully box up some flowers for a mate,
and carry them with movements so deft.
As we reach her car, I drop them with such force of weight,
they barely have any petals left.
5. Whilst out on a club run, I'm well ahead in first,
surely this is something I can't botch?
But a personal best becomes a personal worst,
when I neglect to stop my GPS watch.
6. You mow your neighbour's lawns, as you're more physically able,
hoping to leave them fit for a spot of tennis.
But then, on match point, you cut through the cable,
so they now think you're a bit of a menace.
7. I write a Mother's Day card that's an absolute jewel,
with words so heartfelt and sublime.
And then accidentally sign it "Love from Liverpool",
because I was watching the footie at the time.
8. I dribble skilfully around the entire opposition,
and then miss the open goal.
A new lowest round of golf? I'm definitely in position,
before scoring 12 on the final hole.
9. Your homemade tomato sauce is so top-drawer,
that you could be in a trattoria in Rome,
you then serve the pasta not just al dente, but raw,
leaving no doubt you're actually at home.
10. You take a care home resident on a wonderful road trip,
that's over 200 miles, without crashing.
You reverse up the drive, but forget about the skip,
until you hear the sound of the back window smashing.
11. I took another patient to see Chas and Dave,
and we sang along to their hits, such as "Rabbit".
But I lost him during the encore, which could have been grave,
such misfortune was fast becoming a habit!
12. You treat your family to a Chinese - it's great!
but then proceed to break your Mum's favourite plate.
Okay, so it wasn't exactly a priceless Ming bowl,
but it was still her preferred crockery, off which to eat a spring roll.
13. This fiendish Sudoku has proved such a drain,
that I'm going to end up looking like Gollum.
I finally emerge triumphant! But, here we go again,
I've got two 9's in the same blasted column.
14. That brew is the best I've made since the last Halley's comet,
and I plan to savour the concluding drop.
But either it goes down the wrong way, and I cough 'til I *****
or I spill it all over my new top.
15. And so, we near this composition's ******
like the credits rolling at your local IMAX.
If my life had a post-credits scene,
I'd probably still be acting like a clumsier Mr. Bean.
16. Or, for an older generation, a certain Frank Spencer,
and, ooooh Betty, things are definitely getting tenser.
Because I'd no doubt be left feeling completely aghast,
if I messed up this poem, right at the last.
Having had so many chances, to proof read and amend,
it would be absolutely mortifying, to have a typo at end the!
Aug 5, 2023
Aug 5, 2023 at 2:44 PM UTC
She starred in "Doctor Who" and "Blood Money".
She died thirty years ago today at the age of 63.
When she starred in those Doctor Who episodes, she starred with William Hartnell and Tom Baker.
She lost her battle with cancer thirty years ago today and she went to Heaven and met her maker.
She also starred in "Tales Of The Unexpected", "The Comedy Man" and "No Hiding Place".
People were sad thirty years ago because she was no longer a member of the human race.
It's always sad when such a talented person dies.
All of her fans mourned because of her demise.
Feb 18, 2023
Feb 18, 2023 at 11:21 AM UTC
You were a talented British actor but sadly, not anymore.
If you hadn't died, today you would've turned ninety-four.
You starred in an episode of "Fawlty Towers" and "Dalziel and Pascoe".
Forty-four years ago, you starred in "The Adventures Of Picasso".
You starred in an episode of "Last Of The Summer Wine".
You starred in an episode of "Mogul" and "Space: 1999".
You starred in a short lived British sitcom titled "Cuffy".
After living a long life, you died at the age of ninety-three.
When you starred in Fawlty Towers, you beat up John Cleese.
Today would have been your birthday, may you Rest In Peace.
Dec 29, 2022
Dec 29, 2022 at 12:13 PM UTC
You starred in "The Visitation" which was an episode of Doctor Who.
Your life ended thirty years ago today on December the 11th of 1992.
You died two weeks before Christmas Day.
You were sixty-two when you passed away.
You were a very talented British actor but your death ended your career.
Time sure does fly, it doesn't seem like you've been dead for thirty years.
You starred in every season of "On The Buses" except for the final season.
I don't know why you decided to quit but you must have had a good reason.
You guest-starred in "One Foot In The Grave" and "Turn Out The Lights".
You also guest-starred in "The Count Of Monte Cristo" and "First Night".
You chose not to be buried, you were cremated.
When you died, all of your fans were devastated.
You died thirty years ago today and your wife died on December the 7th of 2011.
You entertained people for many years and then you went to Heaven.
Dec 11, 2022
Dec 11, 2022 at 12:58 PM UTC
In 1977, you starred in an episode of Doctor Who.
If you hadn't died, today you would've turned 82.
You starred in an episode of "Enemy At The Door".
You were a very talented actor but not anymore.
In 1989, you starred in "The Woman In Black".
Sadly, you died and you won't be coming back.
You starred in five episodes of "Coronation Street".
You starred in three hundred and fifty-five episodes of "Heartbeat".
In 1962, you starred in "Top Secret" and "Mystery Submarine".
Today would've been your birthday if you hadn't died in 2019.
Nov 17, 2022
Nov 17, 2022 at 1:45 PM UTC
We've lost a talented actor who was named David Warner.
His friends, family and fans have become his mourners.
Warner's life ended and millions were devastated when they heard the bad news.
In 1991, he starred in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze".
When he guest-starred on "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman", he portrayed Jor-El.
He starred in "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" as well.
In 1984, he starred in "A Christmas Carol" as Bob Cratchit.
He also starred in "The Man With Two Brains" and "Time Bandits".
We've lost a man who was both talented and clever.
He died at the age of eighty and he's gone forever.
Jul 31, 2022
Jul 31, 2022 at 4:39 PM UTC
Walking heartache
Daily headache
You’ll be the end of me.
You’re a stone cold brute
I want a shot, but don’t know how to shoot.
Everything seems impossible with you.
So, why do I care? Why do I stay?
Maybe I’ll figure myself out some day.
Jan 28, 2022
Jan 28, 2022 at 12:48 AM UTC
The date was 15 August 1947,
And India became a dominion of the Crown.
It remained so until 26 January 1950,
When India became a Democratic Republic.
So, it was not before 26 January 1950,
When India became completely independent.
And they eulogise the bald old man,
As if it was only his non-violence.
No, credit it to the Azad Hind Fauj,
And more so to the broken British economy after the Second World War.
Correct me if you know better,
Take care to be mild.
To your words, apply some butter,
Do not be so wild.
Discussions are open.
Oct 29, 2021
Oct 29, 2021 at 1:01 PM UTC
He was a British actor who died on the 20th of May.
He died in 1996, he died twenty-five years ago today.
He was an extremely talented actor and his name was Jon Pertwee.
It's hard to believe that he has been dead for a quarter of a century.
He starred as the third incarnation of the Doctor in "Doctor Who" half a century ago.
About one decade later, Pertwee starred in "Worzel Gummidge" as a dumb scarecrow.
A teacher told Jon that he'd never amount to anything as an actor but he was full of crap.
That teacher was so wrong and Pertwee should've given him a slap.
Pertwee died of a heart attack in his sleep while he was visiting the United States.
When people learned about his death, it was something that millions would hate.
Pertwee said that Worzel Gummidge was his favorite of the characters who he portrayed.
It's very sad to know that this brilliant actor has been deceased for two and a half decades.
He was in Connecticut when he passed away and his body was cremated.
When he left this earth in 1996, his friends, family and fans were devastated.
May 20, 2021
May 20, 2021 at 12:57 PM UTC
The British anthropologist enjoyed rare tribesmen.
But after seeing his article published in the prestigious Journal of Anthropological Research,
he kept the poor man on the coals a little longer,
thinking, "Well done, old chap."
Apr 29, 2021
Apr 29, 2021 at 11:07 AM UTC
He was a great actor but sadly, he's not alive anymore.
He died thirty-seven years ago today on April 18, 1984.
He starred in "Moby **** and "The Man Who Could Cheat Death".
Thirty-seven years ago, he went to Heaven after he took his final breath.
He starred in "Ten Minute Alibi" and an episode of "Doctor Who".
He was a gifted British actor and all of his fans know that is true.
He starred in "From Russia With Love", "Triple Cross" and "The Liquidator".
Francis died in 1984 and his talent is still appreciated thirty-seven years later.
Apr 18, 2021
Apr 18, 2021 at 10:43 AM UTC