Tuesday 26 January 2016

Happy Birthday John Cooper Clarke

MEA COOPER
A birthday tribute to John Cooper Clarke 
by The Other Paul Hamilton



No biz like showbiz, nothing like a dame
Run out of his walk-in wardrobe, exclaiming, “Every suit’s the same!”
‘Cooper’ is a pendant, hanging resplendent from the middle of his name
Game, Johnny Clarke

3-D visionary, shaded stereo, monotone drone
Muscle memory throbbing ‘neath skin and Gandhian bone
A bankrupt’s poor company but a schizophrenic’s never alone
Phone Johnny Clarke

Comedy, poetry, that rare hotchpotch
His style guru directed Matthau in ‘Kotch’
Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch
Has got Johnny Clarke

Toe-to-napper dapper, the chap of purest cheek
From Manning’s town to Canning Town, his wit’s a blitzing streak
A one-man band playing one-night stands, no “He’s here all week”
Seek Johnny Clarke

Gun at his temple, world at this feet
But no show anywhere is considered complete
Until some throwback sad sack calls for ‘Beasley Street’
Sweet Johnny Clarke

Cultural references shorn of their blubber
There lies the rubber, nightclubber, Tony Gubba, ‘Son Of Flubber’
Moving off-stage, still on-form, gin-downer, ciggie-stubber
Hubba hubba, Johnny Clarke

The Bard of Salford's "Anthologia" is available from: amazon.co.uk 

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