Bad Blood After Good – 7th December 2025

It’s time to die
and wake up someplace new;


Finally time to split
this thing in two.


Wipe the sleep right
back into your eyes;

Spaced and splintered
on the soft insides.


Who wasn’t there when
your plate was bare?

Folks, a certain distance,
assume;

Running roughshod
over woe.

Six slack slaves
slide pride a rope;

Splitting sense at the seams.


We’re suave and well-groomed,
we need the abuse.


Sweet like a peach,

tough like a man;
Dirt spins free.

Ears are wet,

arms are wide,
Dead nerves jolt.


We want signed concussions.

Written for an AllPoetry.com contest, choosing a painting by Jane Davies, whose work reminded me a lot of Trumans Water’s album covers. So inspired I scoured their lyrics for clues and indeed, this work is completely a cento of lines take from their 1993 album Spasm Smash XXXOXOX Ox and Ass.