Teenager arrested for posting burning poppy picture on Facebook
The Guardian, 12 November 2012
Because real poppies don't burn
fetch me a plastic and paper one
and a match, and together we can inflame
some indignation, strike out for freedom
of speech. For kindling we can use
old images of the Princess of Wales
and the stalwart Winston Churchill,
torn up, twisted, sweetly combustible.
For good measure hurl on some holy books
and anything wooden resembling a cross,
and flags—flags make good fuel too—
crosses, stars or stripes would do
just fine, and anything emblazoned
with a dragon is begging to get burned.
Toss on that poppy of blood red paper,
douse with gin and apply a lit taper
low down for a slow burn and added offence.
Observe for one minute it kindle in silence.
And because no one troubles
to censor or censure a poet, from the ashes
an inextinguishable image will rise
of the puerile act of burning poppies.
(c) 2012 Slush Poet
