The Question Why
It’s a human question. I mean, look at the Daleks. They have seen that each time they clash with the humans, the humans win. They can’t know about the bias in the script, so they’ve figured it must be some extra thing that humans have.
They select a group of junior Daleks and they ‘infect’ them with humanity. Then they instruct the junior Daleks to exterminate the humans. But the junior Daleks, charging around like crazy chickens, start asking Why? Why ex-ter-min-ate?
Incensed by this unexpected hitch, the astounded Senior Dalek, screams You will obey! But the junior Daleks only start up with a new chorus Why? Why o-bey?
Story of Class
There’s plenty of freight passing on the road across the valley. Keeping us all supplied so we spend the money and keep the wheel turning.
Down below me, there’s a child who looks like he’s with his nanny. Her dutifully solicitous posture shows the job she’s doing.
I’m not trying to mock her or her job as I sit here on the small balcony while two other women straighten the bed, replenish the water, wipe over the sinks and all the rest.
Money passes from one to the other to facilitate these exchanges because one has the money, one needs the money.
Jim Conwell’s background is London Irish and the themes of exile and dislocation are strong in his work. He is published widely in magazines and in three anthologies. He has had two poems shortlisted in the Bridport Poetry Prize and was recently longlisted for the Brian Dempsey Memorial Pamphlet Competition.