A Breughel in the West Indies

At the centre and heart
a clay oven
roofed with corrugated
iron.
The woman
in the red dress - and apron
feeds a loaf
in on a long wooden paddle.
More risen loaves
wait on a sturdy
table.

Two boys, bright shirts
squat in the yard,
playing marbles.
Two hens,
proud, combed, red,
peck and scratch.

A man,
blue trousered, white shirt,
laid back hat,
back from work,
chats with woman sitting
on the throne of her door-step.

I love this picture of a warm
and natural life. Even
when it hangs
over
our gas-fired Aga.

moneeeeeeeeeeeeee.....

sometimes
good people
just don't know
how low
people
can go

sometimes
good people
just don't want
to know

some bad people
just do the right thing
even though
they know
it's wrong

moneeeeeeeeeeeeee.....

wicked
right?

Open Government

Suez
still secret
50 years on.

from New Labour manifesto, 1997:
Open government
Unnecessary secrecy in government leads to arrogance in government and
defective policy decisions. The Scott Report on arms to Iraq revealed
Conservative abuses of power. We are pledged to a Freedom of Information
Act, leading to more open government, and an independent National
Statistical Service.