Poetry - 'Fat Town'

Written by Cameron Churchill

Cameron Churchill is a brand new poet of the North Shore. Raised in Otago, he became aware of the works of deceased local poet James K Baxter and wrote (like Baxter's early work) about the beautiful surroundings of the South Island. Since moving up to the North Island and Devonport his poetry has changed with his surroundings to focus on the overly comfortable lives of suburban folk.

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FAT TOWN

Pay attention to the matches
strike a light, just a flash
to brighten this dull town
and with a smile
I'll confuse these chapters
and all the drunks
and the blonde girls who just frown
but

The charming suits will make their livings
keep on the jab and just keep moving on
I'll tap my foot, tilt my hat and hope that
no-one will notice I don't weigh a ton

This is just a Bad town

Fat men hammer nails into plastic
along the sidewalk women walk their dogs
and though the scene seems quite sarcastic
no-one moans, the men just croak from cigars and sound like frogs

I tell myself that if I make 'til morning
I'll head home and pray like a fat American
so this will pay to have changed a life, but
it's a lie, I still know I'm not that dumb

So the Dawn jumps up like lightning
and burns the people’s red eyes and their pale white skin
pay attention, you can hear them moaning
it paints a smile on my face, I sit and grin

This is just a fat town.

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