#587 - the national confession (on census night)

 

11.viii. 21

587

2.222

the national confession 

(on census night)

how long can a toothbrush last?

cake of soap?

if you are among us, speak 

now prove yourself!

describe today’s sunset 

and think back now - which bird did you hear first?

tell me

a fire of how many sticks?

are bowels open now?

say ahhhh

name a pub

name a firm of solicitors 

double it, add ten percent

(they always charge in guineas)

which sky fairy do you favour?  or none?

have you left something for the dentist?

any bedwetting?  skin in the game?

in which nostalgia?

whose rules?

identify the principal aches 

go to blazes now

or 

would you prefer to jump in the lake ?

I chased a bug around a tree

with a quick brown fox, you lazy dog 

remember!

was it only the male children float in a basket?

dunk a witch to drown

we’re supposed to believe that kind of thing, are we?

is X a bugbear for you?

if your had your wicked way 

and got there unnoticed 

and passed yourself off as...

then identify the value of Y

hobby horse? 

high chair?

what’s the temperature now?

should the sun rise again?

and, if so, by what means?

will you ever surrender?

explain the internal combustion engine?

then how do you think you’re here?

quit stalling...

what do you think of the system?

(25 words or less… you win a holiday at home

and this lovely mask that fogs any glasses)

have you noticed how every Australian’s a winner?

stand tall straight and strong 

have you invaded anywhere lately?

tell the truth!

you’ve eaten the others, haven’t you? 

own up

have you shat your pants recently / ever?

(it always comes back to alimentation)

how far are you prepared to go?

will you remember the journey?

did you seek consent?

is intimate unnatural for you?

                      for your kind? 

if six or seven soon fifteen 

grown up? go to 62

jeez yes w t f!

how many times did you have to get up in the night?

how was it for you?

… and all through the land

far wide lo behold 

in stables, in the main house

how many hats and how many shoes?

get over ourselves, how low can we go?

how much whimper?  how bulls snore!

conquests of any note?

is that your flag?

with gusto please, key of gee

any other arbitrary arrangements taken for matters of fact?

do you find yourself spreading out to occupy all the available space 

as if no one had ever been here before?

in case of dictatorship…

has love been difficult for you?

how many of you are in this night?

rattle around in the piggy bank

what are looking for? 

just wish that we’d leave you alone, is it?

which tribe ?

(choose only two)

which matters for you unresolved? 

do you expect more of the same? 

have you ever led a witness?

what is it that you won’t remember?

slept in a gutter?

are you in a ditch now?

what are you afraid of?

is it all your fault?

it is mine?

start here

fine, thanks and how are you?

why not?

are you at home?

sitting comfortably?

do you wear a facial covering of some sort

to show that you are aware of a place in the world and time?

any pet names?

regular disparagements? 

will you serve again? 

where do you keep the fire?

how often?

where?

have you ever been caught?

it’s good place, don’t you think?

how much violence?

any domestic?

is there a bottle you worship in the house?

we’d like some of that as well

who’s in charge of the thinking?

was that a little fart just now?

this is private and confidential

                   mind you 

did you do something bad 

did you think the bad thoughts again?

when did you last search soul?

whom have you met that you hide?

what’s your PIN?

are you sorrier for what you haven’t done?

have you slept as far as you can?

where on the spectrum would you place yourself?

is there anyone there with you?

someone could hold your hand at the end 

take you home after?

your last words, if any?

can you describe the colours for me?

who do you think is dreaming of you?

on which side of the mushroom would yu consider yourself?

end of the egg while we’re at it?

how many ‘off with their heads’?

any good deeds?

are you sad to have ended up?

or are you now resigned?

do they ever get tired of the questions?

who do you think you are today?

sign up for the ninety nine years

have you a garden in mind?

(heroic couplets here please)

will the Corybantes come?

you see through this keyhole?

satyrs, maenads

did you build the walls of this?

or even ever once imagine...

this was only a draft 

if you wake up 

what will you do?