Corin McLuglan writes: “John Prescott is the latest big name from the world of politics to reveal a more artistic side to his nature. After December’s unveiling of Tessa Jowell’s oil colours at the Tate Modern, this month sees the latest collection of verse from a poet who has brought his own roughly textured language to world of northern based poetry.

Despite being paid a reported million pounds for the volume, making him the nation’s richest poet, Prescott is still sure to strike the right chord with poetry lovers everywhere as the Bard of Hull returns to familiar themes. Prescott has always reminded this reviewer, at least, of the early Wallace Stevens or late Tom Gunn. Known for his scintillating intellectual rigour, his frank and often explicit descriptions of his genitalia (see ‘Ode to My Winkle’ and his epic poem ‘Inch’), Prescott here deals with subjects as diverse as his insatiable appetites, his views on Britain, and the considerable size of his bank account.

Yet what makes the volume so special is that it marks a departure for a poet more at home with English verse forms. The use of the haiku (the traditional seventeen syllable poetic form of Japan) has never been more assured in the hands of a British poet. As our first example here shows, the limitations allow Prescott to focus more keenly upon the insatiable cravings of his body.

In games of croquet
I put balls through hoops again
Reminding me of sex.

It’s a theme he develops with more honesty later in the volume:

When in the office
Little friend in my pocket
Can never sit still.

And again, only this time with a touch of postmodern irony as he attacks the mistaken belief that he is some kind of male chauvinist.

Doing despatches.
Is like doing a woman:
It is a man’s job!

Prescott is never afraid to avoid the detail sure to discomfort his audience. His haiku on his rise from porter with Cunard is one of the most personal:

My one hundred grand
In a high rate bank account:
Not like the Ferries.

It finds a companion piece with a haiku written about his busy life as a career politician within the Labour Party.

Corruption on high:
Seagulls crapping in the sky,
I’m with the Union.

It is the last two poems in the volume that speaks so much about his own success and stands as a monument to a man, politician, and poet, who has succeeded by being his own man.

Deputy in name
But a winner in real life:
Welcome to my world.

And:

Smile and the world smiles,
Punch a voter and they cheer!
Just don’t be Tory.

In all, this is a fine collection of verse by a word smith at the height of his powers. We would be foolish not to recommend it to all since it will next year form a major part of the poetry element of the GCSE English curriculum. Prescott will be touring the country next month, reading his verse to select audiences. We recommend it to all. There is no finer craftsman currently working within such a difficult medium as the English language.” *****

Corin McLuglan
Editor, Poetry Today.

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