A Rather Big Police Playpen

Summary

The web content presents a critical free verse poem response to a "Fracas" prompt by Terry Mansfield, depicting a chaotic police operation in London that affects both protesters and tourists.

Abstract

The poem "A Rather Big Police Playpen" is a satirical take on a real-life incident where London's Metropolitan Police (MET) enforced a kettling containment strategy during a protest. The author describes a scene where protesters and tourists are herded together without access to basic amenities like water and toilets, leading to shared discomfort and a united front against police control. The poem criticizes the MET's approach, likening it to bad schooling where the entire class is punished for a few. It humorously portrays the police force hiding behind riot shields from elderly protesters and highlights the absurdity of the situation by suggesting that the scene is being broadcasted as entertainment, akin to a Monty Python sketch, but is not freely accessible in the UK. The author expresses irony over the safety provided by the British police to tourists caught up in the incident.

Opinions

The author views the police's handling of the protest as heavy-handed and inappropriate, suggesting it was not a well-thought-out strategy.
There is a sense of sarcasm in the portrayal of the police force, which is depicted as fearing even the elderly among the protesters.
The poem conveys a sense of global embarrassment, with the chaotic scene being broadcast worldwide, potentially affecting the image of London's police force.
The author seems to criticize the lack of access to the BBC broadcast of the event within England, contrasting it with the free access provided to international audiences.
There is a clear solidarity expressed with the protesters and tourists affected by the police operation, painting them as victims of an oppressive situation.
The poem implies that the police operation backfired, as it united protesters and tourists against the police, rather than suppressing the demonstration.

A Free Verse Poem Response to Terry Mansfield’s “Fracas”

Demonstrations, Reclaim the streets! A human pen of tourists And protesters, cattle Herded together for hours To assert police control.

No water, no toilettes, Unhappy tourists Pissing themselves as they Now join protesters Against police oppression. Oh, that wasn’t the plan?…

What did you expect Mr police commissioner? Make the whole class suffer for the lads Misbehaving at the back of your class, Bad schooling, I would say.

Not the brightest idea the MET Ever had.

To visit this fracas with great humour And disbelief in what we were witnessing, The pride of England, London’s Police force hiding behind riot shields Safe from old people with walking sticks. Fair enough, if they club together They would become A weapon of mass destruction!

This real-life entertainment brought to you Via a Monty Pythonesque, broadcast Around the world, not free to watch on the British broadcasting CORPORATION. Least not in England anyway, however, Free to watch around the world!

Around the world for families Of tourists having the time of their lives In Tottenham Court roads police playpen. It’s ok they’re safe over there, They have fine British police To watch over them now…

Look there’s aunty Esmeralda! I told her not to go to old London Town.

Thank you for reading. J.

Thank you Terry Mansfield for this “Fracas” Prompt. Read Terry Mansfield’s piece here.

POETRY

A Rather Big Police Playpen

A Free Verse Poem Response to Terry Mansfield’s “Fracas”

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