(26 May 1963 / Marsden, West Yorkshire)

poet Simon Armitage
#142 on top 500 poets
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What do you think this poem is about?

I Say I Say I Say

Anyone here had a go at themselves
for a laugh? Anyone opened their wrists
with a blade in the bath? Those in the dark
at the back, listen hard. Those at the front
in the know, those of us who have, hands up,
let's show that inch of lacerated skin
between the forearm and the fist. Let's tell it
like it is: strong drink, a crimson tidemark
round the tub, a yard of lint, white towels
washed a dozen times, still pink. Tough luck.
A passion then for watches, bangles, cuffs.
A likely story: you were lashed by brambles
picking berries from the woods. Come clean, come good,
repeat with me the punch line 'Just like blood'
when those at the back rush forward to say
how a little love goes a long long long way.

Submitted: Friday, January 03, 2003


Read poems about / on: pink, passion, dark

Comments about this poem (I Say I Say I Say by Simon Armitage )

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  • Alyssa Miller (4/6/2013 12:45:00 AM)

    I get it. Your words spoke to my heart. So I understood. If that's not the ultimate hope and sign of success for every poet's poem, then I don't know what is.

    As for the comment below, well... whatever. You've done a wonderful thing. And I thank you for it. ;)

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • David Mclansky (12/11/2012 9:10:00 AM)

    Make not a virtue of suicide
    The pain of life is something to be borne,
    It can be blunted and desperately denied
    Even on the Cross when we're shorn of pride

    2 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
  • Justin Gonzalez (12/11/2012 4:12:00 AM)

    It's always a great feeling when the first poem you read from a poet you have never heard of before simply blows your mind. That is what just happened when I read this one.

    4 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Jaley Willingham (8/18/2012 4:20:00 AM)

    This is amazing. I have to say, I teared up while reading it. Very powerful words.

    2 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
  • Rory Briggs (12/4/2009 9:41:00 AM)

    Powerful. Very clever.

    3 person liked.
    		5 person did not like.
  • David Brooke (6/14/2007 3:03:00 PM)

    Very moving poem. Representing what Armitage does, providing alot of provocative thoughts in a very short coherent way.

    4 person liked.
    		4 person did not like.
  • Linzi Rogerson (1/4/2005 1:01:00 PM)

    I think that this poem is brilliant. It really puts in perspective how different people see the world. It makes me think about how many people are suffering in silence? It places many different interpretations in my mind. I think this is my favourite peom by Simon, a truly moving piece.

    9 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
Read all 7 comments »

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