Nuclear Reaction Poem by Ray Mather

There’s summat in t’air, th’ knows,
There’s summat in t’ grass.
Th’ can see in t’ farmer’s face, it shows,
Summat’s come t’ a pretty pass.
‘E comes among us wi’ ‘is dogs
And prods us wi’ ‘is stick,
Wearin’ them protective togs,
‘E treats us like we’re sick!
‘E shakes ’is ‘ead and clucks ‘is tongue
And mutters under ‘is breath
Summat about “Bloody bequerels! ”
Bloody Sellafield! ” and “Bloody death! ”
I can’t see m’sen, what’s worritin’ ‘im,
There’s nowt that’s left its mark,
Though last night one of t’other sheep ‘ere
Began to glow in t’dark!


1989