This morning, you have forgone

the sullen trudge to work,

spring – two at a time – up bus stairs,

whistle as you settle into a seat

at the front with the world’s best view.

The grey skies are wonderful,

the traffic a joy, one long beautiful

                                            bless it!

nose-to-tail going nowhere

a symphony of horns

and idling engines.

The city has been washed brighter

overnight. You smile at strangers, cyclists,

policemen, wish chuggers a cheery good day

offer your breakfast pastry

to a figure curled in a shop doorway.

Cackling, you play hopscotch

the length of the high street,

vow to laugh at the boss’s lame jokes.

                                            Vow to try.

Some days, you tell yourself,

are truly magical. What times,

what times, what times to be alive!

This poem examines the emotional maelstrom unleashed by the news that – after losing the libel case brought against her by Jack Monroe – Katie Hopkins is now seeking an insolvency agreement to avoid bankruptcy.

Poetry on the Picket Line is a squad of like-minded poets putting themselves about to read their work on picket lines, in the spirit of solidarity. Invitations to rallies etc. welcome, contact facebook.com/pg/PicketLinePoets