The Preparation Vortex Part 2

I said I would say more about Mark’s poster. He tackled the one called Madly, which goes as follows:

We all need a muse
And saviour;
Let me introduce
Miss Behaviour.

You’ll learn Latin,
Love and History,
But her methods
Are a mystery.

She’ll teach you
Intensely, madly,
Teach you
To behave
Badly.

When he’d printed a few copies off, he casually remarked to Martin whilst they were at the print works, “it’s a bit of a strange poem, this one; I mean, ... ‘she’ll teach you /intensely, madly /teach you to behave /baldy.’” Martin did react.
This poem originated in an earlier poem of mine called ‘Hangover’, which was too long to transfer to a poster whole. That can be found in I’ve Already Spent It, copies of which will be available at the readings.
Of course with a sense of humour like that, we’ve whipped Mark onto the drum stool for Echo Road. Lucky boy – well, he’s turned up twice so far. I always feel that the second week is the crucial one.
Back at the printworks, Claire, Mark’s wife, is setting another of the posters. She hasn’t quite finished because Martin was taken ill on Friday. Hopefully, that is under control, but it put her back by a few days. Martin explained that he wants to get the last couple finished now because they can take up to 4 or 5 days to dry.
Claire, of course, is one of the legendary Girls of Tinsmiths, a very important component in the realisation of our conspiracy. Maybe there should be a picture poster, showing triumphant women workers greeting the new dawn, to celebrate their contribution.