"underhill" poems
Call me such the liar and fool this is true, give no notice of the kindness and careful actions I have given you; but if still you feel cheated and swindled by my small offense, then I offer up in recompense. That while you sleep and so soundly slumber in your bed, behind your dreams I visit you in your head. A more clever prankster there never was to prey upon your petty needs, only to guide you through your misled deeds. However you may have strayed so far from these your gentle homes, I will have you back before the sun arose. Call to me not before the midnight hour for from your lips my name will hover, and roll along your awaking tongue the name Jack Underhill will be far gone.
May 3, 2016
May 3, 2016 at 8:38 PM UTC
Underhill
was not impressed
he had not
been chosen
for the school
soccer team.
He stood with me
and other kids
who didn't
want to play.
Why'd he not
choose me
I am one
of the best
centre-forwards
he's got?
Underhill said.
I watched
the PE teacher
playing referee
blowing his whistle.
I said
I guess not.
You're full of ****
Underhill said.
You're full of bluff
I replied.
He was bigger
than I was
broader
and taller.
You've
too much lip
he said.
The whistle
blew again
and we both watched
the teams play.
Not your day
I said.
He stormed off
up to the lines boy
who waved a flag.
I thought
of Jane
who had
kissed me
up on the Downs
the day before
wet lips
soft
the best kiss
I'd ever had.
Underhill
was moaning
at the lines boy
in a mood
and I was glad.
Jun 15, 2017
Jun 15, 2017 at 2:52 PM UTC
smoke rings
and bells do as well
and the lamb man's
got all the fleece
we are all gold in an egg-shaped sort of way
way back down
the street
the good girl needs a bell
nevermind the ring
i ring my bells for that good girl's favor
ring your bell for the good girl's favor
while the lamb man keeps his peace
Underhill.
understanding
bells
toll now instead of ring
underhand and under thumb
under-way the lambs run
up and down
the street
the wind blows through the leaves
leaving traces of where it's been
it's been down collecting lambs again
dew-run-run
up and down
the street
wash your wool
for the lamb man's leaving
wash your hands
he's gone
wash your hair
for the lillies blooming
blooming all along
all along
the street
Feb 26, 2021
Feb 26, 2021 at 11:47 AM UTC
On the playing field
Underhill
was second to none
but off it
he was a big ****
who bullied boys
smaller or less skilful
than he was at football.
We were in the school
changing room
waiting for the PE teacher
to pick his team
for the match.
Underhill came over
to where I was standing.
I've seen babies
dribble better
than you Coles
he said.
And I've smelt
their nappies
reminding me of you
I replied.
He squared up to me
his 6ft over my head.
You want to watch
your mouth frog.
You're blocking out
my daylight.
Other kids
made a small circle
around us
and chanted
fight fight fight.
I've seen toddlers
kick a ball
better than you
he said.
I shouldn't stand still
too long or a farmer
might mistake you
for dung and spread you
over his land
for fertilizer
I replied.
Fight fight fight
the kids chanted
about us.
I got on my toes
ready to weave
and punch.
He stood toe to toe
with me looking
down at me.
WHAT IS GOING ON
the PE prat bellowed out
from the changing room
doorway.
The kids dispersed
and I mingled with them
Underhill tried to mingle
unsuccessfully.
Well what is
going on?
Nothing Sir
Underhill said
just showing others
my passing skill.
The PE prat
looked around at us
his beady eyes
searching out victims.
Right line up
I need a solid team
to play against
Barnside Seniors.
We lined up
against the wall.
I wouldn't be chosen
(thank God)
but Underhill was
almost straight away.
I was hoping
the team lost
it would make
my day.
Jul 14, 2017
Jul 14, 2017 at 3:58 AM UTC
Underhill stood
in line with you
in the boys'
changing room
waiting to be picked
for the football team.
The PE teacher
walked the line
eyeing each boy in turn
picking whichever boys
he wanted
for the team
as he went.
He walked
past me
without even
looking at me.
He picked Underhill
who stood at the end
hands behind his back
eyes forward
staring at
the opposite wall.
You Underhill
can be centre-forward
the PE prat said
walking back
up the line
to select the last
few members.
He passed me again
and chose Jupp
as left back
and Rolland
as goalie.
Those of us
who had not
been chosen
stood in line
looking around.
You Brown and Tope
can be lines-boys
the rest of you
will have to watch.
The PE prat
walked off
and his team
followed him out
onto the field.
We no bodies
walked behind
the team
and stood
on the sidelines
waiting to watch
the match against
another school.
I was glad
I wasn't chosen.
I preferred
to watch
or look over
to the girls
playing netball
in the playground
seeing if any girl
I knew was there
jumping
and reaching high
their bodies beauties
in motion.
Underhill scored a goal
and a cheer went up
he jumping around
like a big girl.
But I turned away
and watched
the real girls
with their
bouncing bodies
and hair and curls.
Jun 27, 2017
Jun 27, 2017 at 3:20 AM UTC
Underhill sitting
at the front of the class
with two of his cronies said,
Hey Coles,
I could beat you
in a fight, couldn't I?
Not wishing
to disappoint him
with a negative reply,
I affirmed his illusion.
He asked other kids,
and none denied
his assertion.
He turned around
like a mafia boss
to whisper
with the cronies,
before the teacher
returned.
I wished I had
my spud gun
and an old spud
as ammunition.
I could have flicked
Underhill's ears
with careful aim.
Or my pea-shooter
flip-flip against his neck.
Condor,
the English teacher
entered the room.
A silence descended
on the boys,
and pens and books
prepared.
Underhill saw himself
as an Al Capone of 1B,
sans scars,
sans cigar,
sans big gut,
just the illusion
inside his head,
and my spud gun
going phut-phut,
you're pretend dead.
Jun 28, 2019
Jun 28, 2019 at 2:16 PM UTC