Alan Baker
SIX TYNESIDE TWITTERSONNETS
when did it aall gan wrang
kids need a good sla pin little tramps ca nnit leave nowt alae n - fancy pinchin' m e flowers eeh mann a would've bought them some theor's fly-tip pin eggin ya hoose i sn't safe nee pub cl ub shops nee communi ty centre nowt for k ids used ti be a can ny place when did it aall gan wrang mrs t |
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the auld gadgy ti the young barman (1977)
o yi courtin yet son? lassies! ye divint w anna bother with the m mann, aa niver did wey no man, aa'm kno ckin on a bit noo, b ut aa still like the laddies. aye,a bonny lad like ye. aa've n iver telt anyone bef ore. o christ! divin t tell the lads in h eor will ye? aa divi n knaa wot thid dee! |
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written doon
alreet myet! wiy liv es in that hoos? why di aa wanna knaa? co s aa used ti live th eor mysel, then aa w ent doon sooth -to s underland? wey no ma nn! a cyem back jist ti taalk ti people o mebbees jis ti taalk ti mysel, or mebbees jus ti write doon wa words - mine n yours a mean -thit a've ni va seen written doon |
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Wor Thomas (1937)
sundae mornings he'd say howay doon the q uayside wi me wor ki d six bairns mam & d ad grandma in two ro oms we wor hungry bu t we nivor ailed a t hing till wor Tom ca ught a fever nee mon ey nee doctor. still just a laddie. me ma m's hair torned whit e owaneet neebody be lieves iz but it did |
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Charlie Carr Speaks (1977)
they can hadaway and shite the lorra them they're wor shipyard s noo, wi sweated to build them ships pro od o them an aall wi are, me faatha his f aatha worked for now t and noo we'll get what wi desorve, the fruits of wa labours aa divint blame yi s on for leavin toon & gittin’ an education |
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wa leins are open 24/7
aye, aa can dee that for yi, nee bother m ann, wey aye, alreet if yi say so missus, aa'm heor ti help aa l day aal neet, aa c an offa yi a canny p rice, we'll help yi, aye, divint fash yas sel mann, a knaa yiz are not happy not wo rking it's knackered heve yi tried tornin it off, then on agen |
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© Copyright Alan Baker 2020
Alan Baker was born and raised in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He has lived in Nottingham since 1985, where he runs the poetry publisher Leafe Press and its associated webzine, Litter. His most recent poetry collections are Riverrun (KFS) and Letters from the Underworld (Red Ceilings).