Saturday 30 March 2013

The Lynching Tree




Brixton Police Station 01.2008I wrote this poem over nine years ago, after listening to an interview with Doreen Bishop, who I can now call a personal friend of mine.  Doreen Bishop is the Mother of Ricky Bishop who mysteriously died after being arrested by the Police at Brixton Station.  I remember hearing of the story when it was first reported, it stuck in my mind as strange.  Ricky was a passenger in a car driving through Brixton, it would seem the area they was driving in was near to a known Crack House, this is almost laughable because ten years ago there seemed to be few places you could go within Brixton and not stumble across some Crack house, Druggy hangout or what not.  


Well it would seem the Police had cause to pull the car over as a crack pipe had been spotted on the floor of the car.  Ricky was subsequently arrested taken to the Brixton Police station.  .........  Hours later he was rushed to Kings College hospital where he waited to be seen he died before receiving treatment for his alleged overdose.  The Police reported that he had swallowed his stash of drugs which was allegedly in the cavities of his mouth.  (There after Police in Brixton would often report about the perils of doing a sweep of suspected drug dealers mouths)


There are gaps that I cannot fill in, I have attended many court hearings, the Coroner's court verdict of a Narrative of Accidental Death although this was not exhausted.???

They is also the case of Roger Sylvester, who also died in Police custody.  This case was taken to the high court, the family were successful in getting a verdict of .of Unlawful Killing which needless to say was quickly overturned by the High Court.

Deaths in Custody a sad phenomenon  predominantly within the Black Community.  I have attended several hearings what always hits me is the excessive force that the Police determine is necessary at that time to arrest/detain the suspect.  In the case of Roger Sylvester it was reported that 8 offices held him down, one as I understand sitting on his legs, which is the longest artery in the body, so once this supply has been cut off for a significant amount of time, this inevitably causes serious complications ( No I am not a doctor).  



The Lynching Tree 

Down Brixton Way


Have you seen the lynching tree down Brixton way?
It’s the tree outside the killing house
Where many have lost their lives to date
The tree is legendary it has become symbolic

Have you seen the lynching tree down Brixton way?
I’ve seen it there today
The leafs don’t blow in the breeze
They lay laden with the blood of the deceased

Have you seen the Lynching Tree down Brixton Way?
We walk passed immune to the stench
Of another life laying in the trench
We are at war and our men are being taken in their
Tens and thousand millions more

Have you seen the Lynching Tree down Brixton Way?
I’ve seen it, I am here to settle the score
You take what is mine I no longer mourn
I am a mother I am speaking of all African Sons and daughters
One by one they are being led to the slaughter

Have you seen the Lynching Tree down Brixton Way?
Have you seen the lynching tree down Brixton way?
Have you seen the lynching tree down Brixton way?








Freudian Slips




They say much of psychology is based on Sigmund Freud’s findings, they also say he had deep rooted psychological problems, which stemmed from his relationship he had with his Mother.

I have a problem when people blame a slip of the tongue as nothing.  I believe everything that anyone says is what they intended to say.  Sometimes people just don't have the balls to stand behind what they have said, and want some way to desperately take it back, I am here to tell you it is not possible to un-utter something.

When people are intoxicated or angry , this is where we often hear the truth, sometimes for the first time.  The truth will set you free.  Initially the recipient would be a little shocked, but in time they will get over it, maybe even grow to respect you either way it’s out there and the universe is dealing with it.

Posted FB 30/3/13

# 57 Freudian Slip

What you do
Is always noted
Makes an entry
In the inventory
All your thoughts
Are conceived
What you speak
That's what you believe
Don't tell me about no freuduian slip
What comes out is an intentional hit