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I Like to Be

John Gilbert Ellis

Tuesday, September 19th, 2023

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 I like to be in Afghanistan.
Okay for me in my Sudan.
I like to be one team Iran.
I like to play in peace when I can.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 I like to be safe, without war.
Bring it right on, early doors.
I like to play, win, and score.
I like to be welcome on your shore.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Bullets for me, not in Hertfordshire.
Jumpers for goalposts, yes in Yorkshire.
No penalty kicks in Shropshire.
I’d clean the boots of Lincolnshire.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 If you’re all white in Bedfordshire,
then you’re alright in Wiltshire.
One look at us in Middlesbrough,
they’ll think twice in Peterborough.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 No welcome dream for us in England,
more years of hurt, that’s for sure.
No safe space for us, we’re alien,
England’s sold-out; crammed brim full.

Notes

Based on the ‘West Side Story’ song ‘America’ and the similar issues of race and integration it covers.

Reset to football, England and our inability to deal with other people in trouble.

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Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/i-like-to-be/