Overheard (two from school, two from songs)

You spend the first five years trying to get with the plan

KEN: you hear they’ve started bringing in form assemblies?
CLIVE: like, an assembly where your form would be up front, orchestrating the readings, role-playing the inherent coolness but latent sinfulness of smoking - where the main element of the role play was that you were allowed to untuck your shirt - and what-knot?
KEN: nah, like grouping the school by forms so you get 7 Manning, 8 Manning, 9 Manning, 10 Manning and 11 Manning all together. It’s to promote some form of intra-form harmony, at least that’s what I’ve been told.
CLIVE: your mole on the inside.
KEN: yeah…mole.
CLIVE: won’t it just breed divisiveness?
KEN: I think that’s the sub-text. Already you’re meant to be able to see the results. Allen’s for the boffins, Wiseman has all the lithe sporting ambassadors.
CLIVE: breeding for the future…
KEN: I don’t think they gone as far to introduce breeding, they still think the rather primitive sex education, fusty atmosphere and stern looks will serve as the most effective prophylactic.

She likes to strew poppies as she wanders in your mind, so you can’t tell she’s been there.

Ike Yard - Loss (from New York Noise, Volume Three or 1980-82 Collected)