We present a poem by S&C regular contributor Richard Peirce about his third arrest under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for a peaceful protest in Oxford, in which he held a sign opposing genocide and expressing support for a proscribed organisation. Before his release on bail, he was incarcerated for a time in cell 3 at Abingdon police station.
Richard will be performing at the Eleventh Hour, a fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestinians, on January 20th at the Wedgewood Rooms. Please purchase tickets here.
Abingdon
A pastiche of Adlestrop, with acknowledgement to Edward Thomas
Yes. I remember Abingdon –
the name, because one afternoon
of winter chill, no train drew up there,
being a station for cops and felons
Steamy breath. A PC read my rights.
Arresters and arrested.
In the parking bay, all I saw
was Abingdon – the name,
then concrete, brick and steel doors
and mug shots, finger prints, DNA.
No sky or natural light,
a camera up high, lidless eye.
In that solitude, no blackbird sang
near or far, no witness of the end of day
to know where my head would lay,
muted, my freedom song, in misty Oxfordshire.
Picture by Richard Peirce.
