by Andy N
Drumming across windows
In both of the toilets
Banging could frequently be heard
Dragging chairs under the stairs
In the entrance hall
Thawed in the cheesy music
Leading to the main bar
Twitching across your back
Like a whistle blower
Drowned out by the noise
Over the sticky floors
And watered-down lager
Curving into a maze of bodies
Aglow in a series of frantic lights
Sweeping diamonds in their dreams
Caged with the TV Screen
Dangling half-drunk from the ceiling
Scrunched with a frightening rage
Held back by invisible hands
Wishing for the carnage to end
Over the top of a sign that always said
Drinking, dancing, cavorting
While the reverend sits there unseen
Constantly spitting feathers
Throwing toilet paper in the air
And attempting to push staff
Down the stairs as if to say
They weren’t getting out of there
Anywhere near quick enough
For his liking.
* Brannigans is a now closed Bar in the centre of Manchester which was reportedly haunted by Reverend Collier, a fierce anti-alcohol reverend at the start of the 20th Century of which his church, Albert Halls became Brannigans at one point.
Andy N is the author of four full poetry collections, the most recent being the streets were all we could see and with his partner Amanda Steel, the joint collection the lockdown was all we could see. He is the co-host of Stretford’s always welcoming open mic literature night Speak Easy and is the host/creator/co-host of the following Podcasts: Spoken Label, Reading in Bed, Comics Unity and Wrestle Up among others. He also does ambient music under the name of Ocean in a Bottle. His official blog is onewriterandhispc.blogspot.com.
