Poetry Hallway - Talk

It's good to talk. That's what BT said. Talk on the phone. That's what they instructed. Talk to old friends. Talk to long-lost relatives. Talk to someone's therapist. Talk to the call centre. Talk to everyone. Just keep talking. And they should know. You could say they've made it something of a raison d'etre. I'll go further, I've noticed they're obsessed less with actual talking, than with the phones themselves. It's a little bit peculiar, like an equipment fetish. Always the telephones. Not just, "have a nice chat in person". No - pick up the phone, tap in the number and talk into the piece of plastic, ideally whilst ignoring the clock. They're not worried about the conversations. They're not worried about the germs. If I didn't know better I'd assume they'd found some crafty way to make money out of people using their phone lines. We all know that can't be true though, because they'd actually improve the service. Friends and Family discount? Pah! Besides, BT is basically a sports provider now. Technicolor sport, manly sport, widescreen sport, sweaty, dirty sport. Dripping, oozing, festering, spurting sport. Don't talk, just watch sport. Keep your damned fidgety eyes open and stop talking. You hear me? Don't talk! Stop talking at the back! You do that once more... right. Detention for the lot of you. Some time to reflect on the consequences of your actions. In silence.


Talk by Andy Brain

I want to talk with you, seriously - 
Uh huh, it's pretty cold here too - yeah, so
Not the usual rushed pleasantries;
Take it slowly. I want to talk with you,
Listen to the you that's hunkered down low - 
So much curled tight within, locked deep and dark
Admitting none - site under construction;
Enquiries shunned with worn misdirection.
I want to hear what you feel you cannot
Risk to put words to; the hidden ideas,
Dangerous smoke rings of hope; with kindling,
This fire grows hot; now see the uncaged bird,
Exulting in flight; the impish, gleeful sprite,
Binning wrongdoers; basking in sunlight.
A train ticket to the world. Our great world.
Share your fears. Share your hopes. I'm on your side.