Punk Site Poetry With Cherry B: “Thatcher’s Back”

Our punked up pumped up performance poet, who has been described as the The Punk Pam Ayers and The Cockney Cooper Clarke, has returned with her latest exclusive poem for The Punk Site, Thatcher’s Back. Cherry B straddles the Shakespeare themes of comedy and tragedy, teasing with laughter, then taunting those undesirables in society. One half of the unique Cherry & Peesh, who have embellished the punk ‘n folk scene with melodical tales and catchy tunes for the past five years. Cherry & Peesh will be appearing at festivals over the Summer and the duo are also planning to release an album. Author, writer, poet, psychotherapist, professional swearer, dyspraxic and opinionated, words that define and illuminate qualities that feature within the personality of Cherry B.

“Here is my latest called ‘Thatcher’s Back’The poem says it all about the current policies being pushed through.”

It’s all sounding familiar, I’ve heard these words before 

amending polices, put in new clauses to change the law.

It’s like we’ve been transported and compassion is aborted.

The 80s are back in fashion,

The return of Thatcher fuelling the passion.

Yes Thatcher’s back I’ve seen the proof,

Look at the politics and the lack of truth.

The right to buy was a previous winner,

But with a touch of Boris, its spread even thinner.

Come on down the price is right!

Buy your housing association, 

But money will be tight.

No spare cash for fixing bills,

and then vote, Tory even if it kills.

Thatcher’s back let’s have some propaganda,

Let’s send those who need our help, off to Rwanda.

Let’s treat asylum seekers like unwanted pests,

Let’s treat them with no dignity and wear high vis vests.

Thatcher’s back and so are strikes,

Privatisation and energy hikes.

Weakening unions by blaming it on greed,

invite agency staff to work through Indeed.

Thatcher’s back and it’s all gone to pot,

as we scramble and fight for the little we’ve got.

It’s the return of selfish notoriety,

As we surrender our place in society.

So the ghost of Thatcher rises once more,

as it dominates behind that Downing Street door.

I can hear the screams as everyone hides,

He’s the zombie body in which she resides.

Cherry B‘s collection of poetry and lyrics, Job Lot Of Rhymes, is now available via Flapjack Press. Job Lot Of Rhymes spans three decades of Cherry B’s performance work. Political, societal and inclusive, it is uncompromising and passionate punk ’n roll poetics firing from the belly of social conscience. Cherry B also appears on her monthly radio show on Totally Wired Radio, Poetry Is The New Rock ’N Roll, that offers an hour of lyric led, spoken versed, genre smashing, musical adventure into the exploration of hidden poetry, that is often camouflaged behind powerful rhythms and riffs. Named after one of their own songs, Cherry & Peesh will travel through the decades and diverse styles to discuss and dissect the meaning of rhyme as reflected by songwriters. 

“Next up for me a few London gigs with Peesh on 30th and 31st July. Then Rebellion. We play on Sunday at 4.30 Almost Acoustic stage. But also I will be popping up a few times in the new Literary Stage, details to be announced soon. Also I will be appearing with my friend Isla on bass doing a completely different set on Saturday from 2pm in the Tache Bar in Blackpool.”