EXAMPLES OF PERFORMANCE POETRYTHE SOUND COLLECTOR

by R McGough

A stranger called this morningDressed all in black and greyPut every sound into a bagAnd carried them awayThe whistling of the kettleThe turning of the lockThe purring of the kittenThe ticking of the clockThe popping of the toasterThe crunching of the flakesWhen you spread the marmaladeThe scraping noise it makesThe hissing of the frying panThe ticking of the grillThe bubbling of the bathtubAs it starts to fillThe drumming of the raindropsOn the window paneWhen you do the washing upThe gurgle of the drainThe crying of the babyThe squeaking of the chairThe swishing of the curtainThe creaking of the stairA stranger called this morningHe didn’t leave his nameLeft us only silenceLife will never be the same.

LEISURE CENTRE, PLEASURE CENTRE

by J

RiceYou go through plate glass doorsWith giant red handles,Into light that’s brightAs a million candles.The chlorine smellsThe whole place steaming,The kids are yellingAnd the kids are screaming.Watch themWave jumpDive thumpCartwheelFree wheelLook cuteSlip chuteToe stubNose rubIn the leisure centre, pleasurecentre.Sporty people laugh and giggleFolk in swimsuits give a wriggle.Kids are in the café busy thinkingIf they can afford some fizzydrinking.In the changing roomsWet folk shiver.It’s hard to get dressedWhen you shake and quiverAnd we goBreast strokeBack strokeTwo stokeBig folkHair soakLittle folkEye pokeNo jokeIn the leisure centre, pleasurecentre.And now we’re driving back homeFish ‘n’ chips in the car,Eyes are slowly closingBut it’s not very far.Snuggle wuggle up in fresh cleansheetsA leisure centre tripIs the best of treats because youcanKeep fitLeap sitEat crispsDo twistsBelly flopPit stopFill upWith 7-UpGet goingBlood flowingLook snappyBe happyIn the leisure centre, pleasurecentre.

THE DRAGON WHO ATE OUR SCHOOL

N ToczekThe day the dragon came to call,she ate the gate, the playground walland, slate by slate, the roof and all,the staffroom, gym and entrance hall,and every classroom, big or small.So…She’s undeniably great.She’s absolutely cool,the dragon who atethe dragon who atethe dragon who ate our school.Pupils panicked. Teachers ran.She flew at them with wide wingspan.She slew a few and then beganto chew through the lollipop man,two parked cars and a transit van.Wow…!She’s undeniably great.She’s absolutely cool,the dragon who atethe dragon who atethe dragon who ate our school.She bit off the head of the head.She said she was sad he was dead.He bled and he bled and he bled.And, as she fed, her chin went redand then she swallowed the cycle shed.Oh…She’s undeniably great.She’s absolutely cool,the dragon who atethe dragon who ate,the dragon who ate our school.It’s thanks to her we’ve been freed.We needn’t write. We needn’t read.Me and my mates are all agreed,we’re very pleased with her indeed.So clear the way, let her proceed.Cos…She’s undeniably great.She’s absolutely cool,the dragon who atethe dragon who atethe dragon who ate our school.There was some stuff she couldn’t eat.A monster forced to face defeat,she spat it out along the street –the dinner ladies’ veg and meatand that pink muck they serve for sweet.But…She’s undeniably great.She’s absolutely cool,the dragon who atethe dragon who atethe dragon who ate our school.