they’ve erected a statue
right on the main square
where the gutters swill red
it must all go somewhere
more than a grand opening
there the ribbon is cut
the people jockey to see
a democracy forgot
note his moment of glory
how blindly the crowd loves
none mention the bodies
a truth that secretly rubs
& yet in a week or so
the leavings will remain
of know-nothing pigeons that
care not for fascist gain
by TETIANA ALEKSINA & TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2024
monsters don’t only live in the dark
they can inhabit the light as well
in crystal castles or silky meadows
or knee-deep in marshmallow rivers
no warning, all charge, the unicorn rises
threatening death with thunderous hooves
it seems the most innocent of creatures
can also run plum out of patience
beautiful and elegant, it gores you
your viscera entangled in its mane
horn arcs, glints like wine spilled in the sun
yes, this is no mere ruby’s sparkle
even gargoyles, devils, trolls and wolves
fear the unicorn’s territorial will
because not only can it disembowel
it will also shit rainbows over your corpse
so remember kids, monsters are real
they’re just not always what you would think
now close your eyes, listen to a lullaby
about crystal castles and silky meadows…
by TETIANA ALEKSINA & TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2024
i ordered a 3d printer today
the opportunities are endless
i can print some nice decorations
or print a brand new gutenberg press
or even print a new stapes for both ears
or at least two brand new hearing aids
or how about a robot interpreter
fluent in every sign language ever
but will communication be better
if i spend a big fat cheque on this
sure, i could print a stack of gold bullion
to buy me a god to answer my prayers
or print a brand new humbert humbert
to buy me a god to answer my prayers
by TETIANA ALEKSINA & TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2024
my favourite gift is a closed one
that moment where nothing is known
that calm before an unwrapping storm
in anticipation of what’s to come
my favourite book is a closed one
that moment where nothing happens
that calm before a reading storm
in anticipation of what’s to come
my favourite lips are closed ones
that moment where nothing is said
that calm before a kissing storm
in anticipation of what’s to come
my favourite heart is an open one
so tell me true, are you ready for war
many shall ride the carousel with me
but few shall choose to stand with me
my favourite casket is a closed one
that moment where nothing remains
that calm after the final storm of
memories of all that’s come & gone
by TETIANA ALEKSINA & TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2024
they say there will be a golden age
when the lion lays down with the lamb
& i say there will be a golden age
when the lamb goes for the lion’s jugular
we cannot sup safely with the fascists
without them exacting their pound of flesh
there’s no more time for demure silence
when they’re raising goblets full of our own blood
when free thinkers are chained to dogma
& women are made the property of man
they’ll poke their noses into every bedroom
declare that our love violates god’s will
we cannot lay down & be fucked like this
we lambs must sharpen our teeth for the fight
stub their gaping throats with righteous ire
with the shepherd’s crook we took back from fools
by TETIANA ALEKSINA & TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2024
unbolt me 