The National Front

The National Front

It was the 1970's and I was a kid

Living in Slough, my dad on a shift

Mum looking after us three kids

In the evening

Telling us to hide under the bay window of her bedroom.

I didn't ask why at first, but then became curious

I wanted to know who was looking at us

Who it was we made furious.

I did have a peek and saw a group of whites

In drainpipe jeans and bomber jackets, looking for a fight

Speaking louder and louder

Until the numbers grew bigger and bigger

and the talking became a chant

"Kill the Pakis, Pakis out!"

"Kill the Pakis, Keep England White!"

Mum told us not to move

Or say a word

Her eyes wide and full of fear

They were getting too near

I did as she said and heard the chanting getting even louder

Moving towards our house

I curled up in a ball and tried to make myself small

Hoping I would vanish into nothing.

The chanting moved away from the house as fast as it came.

A disaster averted.

For now

We won this racist, hateful game.