For years London Underground has been filling the gaps between the ads on its tube trains with poems. Every so often they collect them into a book which is sold in every bookshop in the city.

This morning, riding the Jubilee Line from Stratford, I came across a new one. It had been left anonymous, and was far more political than any of the other which, in spite of the fact it looked like the rest of them, and used the London Transport font and design, made me wonder if it’s a real one or not…

Sonnet 18
Apols to William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Shall I compare thee to a multinational
Thou art more arrogant and polluting
Rough winds remind me to be rational
As global warming starts to put the boot in.
Sometimes too hot the burning sun doth shine
Thank Esso, and the president they paid
To ditch the Kyoto Treaty line by line
And break all the promises he’d made.
But Esso’s market dominance will fade
As drivers turn their back on Esso fuel,
A mortal blow to this too dirty trade
Could bring about the end of Dubya’s rule
But so long as Esso struts with Bush in train
So long will they continue this campaiqn

1. I am a number. 843522.
   Sometimes I wish I worked at home. On Thursday mornings, when I have to get up and showered and dressed before the breakfast show trail...
   
   
2. Black
   It's nice sitting in the bath with the lights out and a candle burning in the corner. Kind of relaxing. Usually. Only at the moment...