Sunday, June 26, 2016

Taken back.



I am taken back to the words of my father:

"What will you do if there is a war?"

He was concerned about my moving to France.

In the late 80's such a question seemed a ridiculous anachronism.

"But it's different now. We're in Europe."

I seem to remember saying.

I had grown up with stories of mined beaches, evacuation, threats of invasion.

It was all so damn sepia tinted.

Taken Back 

 Surely we have moved on?




We have full colour documentaries now.

Here I am, listening to British politicians trot out lie after lie in the Brexit referendum campaigns.


Here I am, witnessing French fascist politicians gloating.

Here I am, listening to British fascist politicians gloating.

Here I am, witnessing Donald Trump talk of Brits "taking their country back."


 Taken aback.
Here I am, reading expressions of hate.




I am taken back to driving through a South London street.

A young man yelled out:

 "Get back to France you fucking French bastards."

 I am back in France, British, with a French wife and kids with dual nationality.

Taken  back.

They talk of "taking back control".

 Do you control hate?

Were politicians in "control" in the 1930's?

We are taken back.
I could not dig; I dared not rob:
Therefore I lied to please the mob.
Now all my lies are proved untrue
And I must face the men I slew.
What tale shall serve me here among
Mine angry and defrauded young?
Kipling






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