Jackass 1974 Poem by Terry Collett

Jackass
the drunk said.

Benny was looking
in the window
of a bookshop
in Charing Cross Road
waiting for his brother
who was buying a book.

Jackass
the drunk said again.

Benny looked around
the drunk
was looking at him.

You middle-class poof
the drunk bellowed.

Benny looked
at his own reflection
in the window.

The white flowery shirt
the pink flared trousers
his dark brown hair and beard.

Me? he mused
I am not middle-class
at all
Benny bellowed back
and if you want to see
how poof I am
come back here.

The drunk stood there
swaying
Jackass
he bellowed
and walked on
up the road.

Benny's brother
came out of the shop
what's the noise?
who were you
bellowing at?

Some drunk
called me
a middle-class poof
Benny said.

His brother smiled
told you not to wear
those pink flares
he said.

Did you buy
the book?
Benny said.

His brother
showed him
the book about
the Sole Brothers.

They walked on
to the restaurant
for a meal and wine.

Benny smiled
they sure knew
how to booze and dine.