It’s been heartening to see the sheer number of tributes to Marjane Satrapi on social media, but I’m honestly still gutted at her passing.
If you’ve not read ‘Persepolis‘ then what are you doing with your life? Hell, read the graphic novel then watch the animated adaptation of it. If these don’t move you… then, well, I just don’t know what else to say.
Rest in peace, Marjane. ‘Punk is not ded’.
by TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2026
even the smallest body
laid waste in the smut of war
holds more dignity than you
you titans of craven hatred
titans of grubby fascism
may heavy the hereafter youth
their bones be a blight upon you
& yon god resolutely scorch you
all titans from the befouled earth
then itself from living memory
see the old men declaring war
when they ought to be busy dying
clearing way for the new
fear you the ghosts of our children
& all that they doth represent
may their legacy of bravery
smother all blood of titans
rot you in annals of time forgot
even the smallest body
laid waste in the glut of war
may their bones be a blight upon you
smother you blood of titans
rot you in bowels of time forgot
the strong shall be made weak
& the weak forever strong
clear way for the new
by TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2025
make them fear
i hear you say
but can we not
just let them be
make them hear
everything you say
but can we just let
them pass on by
bring them near
i hear you say
but i’d rather
keep to myself
with a sneer
bring them near
make them hear
make them fear
by TETIANA ALEKSINA & TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2025
you squeeze the hand of fate
knuckles white in the skull of night
time to choose between fight or kite
will we ever feel ready today
the price of going away
won’t be as high as if you stayed
how on god’s weaned earth has it come to this
another plated community
can you smell the sulphur in the air
mind the inevitable siren blare
more bodies filling moats of fear
the price of going away
won’t be as high as if you stayed
but first i must tell what you mean to me
let’s never forget, woman of my dreams
as i trace your shoulders, broad & free
would you flex those biceps, strong for me
then crushing thighs & disarming sighs
the price of going away
won’t be as high as if you stayed
i’ll miss you but we can no longer believe
the eastern border has disgorged
war, the insatiable hurricane
it swirls & pukes our discarded aims
bulimic in its vile intentions
the price of going away
won’t be as high as if you stayed
& fate always seems to begin like this
by TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2026
unbolt me 