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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