This poem would like to make it clear
that it is here to subvert nothing whatsoever,
here to challenge nothing at all, that it would
never ever dream of doing so. This poem
is absolutely not expressing support for
any proscribed organisation, or for people
who may have been arrested – deservedly
arrested, in the opinion of this poem, which
is very clear which side its poetic bread is
buttered – arrested for holding up placards
which could be read as expressing support
for that proscribed organisation. This poem
recognises that doing such a thing is foolish,
is unwise, is a thoughtcrime, and this poem
is delighted to see His Majesty’s government
throw the [heavily redacted for reasons of
national security] book at any people – teachers,
or nurses, pensioners or holocaust survivors –
who threaten the smooth-running of a genocidal
state by holding up placards, however neatly
written, however polite the nurses or survivors
may be. And this poem most certainly has
nothing to say about eight young people in
gaol and on hunger strike, starving themselves
to draw attention to the evil that is happening
in the world. No. This poem – like the rest of
the press – has nothing at all to say about that.
This poem wants to be safe. This poem is not
here to subvert.
© Steve Pottinger 1 Jan 2026
Editor’s note: As of 27 January 2026, all eight of the imprisoned pro-Palestinian protesters who risked their lives and their long-term health have now ended their hunger strike.
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