'Hero' By Katherine Pearce

Hero

Sometimes, when I’ve been away for too long, I can’t remember myself.

My health is flaggin’

My mind is Naggin’ me: ‘Lad, go home’

I feel like I’m out on loan

Alone, on my own, in this other place that’s nowt like home.

Alien place

My life packed up in one small case

The sadness engrained in my weather beaten face

So I have to head back, just to touch base.

I start with a match

Watch the juggarnaughts throw and catch

Like animals guarding their patch

They pound up and down and the crowd go mental

Forgettin’ their sentimental selves

And begin to raise hell

We roar, our throats are sore

But we know what we’re there for

The passion

The drive

The hum of the wasps in this great hive

Home for a roast

To the pub for a boast

Wake up hangin’ to beans on toast.

Lust in my chest, leather on my back

That guy over there’s lookin’ for a smack

Crack

Whack him on the back of the head

Take some slag home back to my bed

Listen The Monkeys

Listen to The Smiths

Lay stupid broken dreams down in shitty little riffs.

Tiffs with her

Tiffs with him

Curse this clan I wound up in

Get smashed

Get trashed

Run right out of cash

Bloody Black eye

Made her cry

Who’s pryin in my business?

What is this?

A witch hunt?

Which cunt is sayin’ I’m not a hero.

You’re full of fear though

You little chicken shit

You’re fuckin’ full of it

If he doesn’t quit

I’ll beat the shit out of him

Slim chance of livin if you carry on

That’s it I’m gone

And I have him.

Next day, gotta go back

Back to the South

Back to the hell mouth for me

But the southern turf underneath my feet will always grow to some northern tree.