The Accumulation of Capital
Owen Gallagher

Marx and Engels almost drained this bar in Soho,
finishing ‘The Manifesto of the Communist Party’.

Thirsting for another round, I consider pickpockets,
not the ones working streets and malls,

or those in pulpits pilfering what’s left in minds,
but the one kitted out like a toff,

currently lifting my friend’s wallet. I ram
the full force of justice behind his knees

and haul him to his feet, lecture him, mercilessly,
on the nature of Capitalism, how it encourages thieves.

Owen Gallagher is from Gorbals, Glasgow, and lives in London. He has awards from The London Arts Board and The Society of Authors. He has won poetry competitions and his poems have been displayed on London buses. His book publications include: Sat Guru Snowman published by Peterloo Poets, and Tea with the Taliban, Smokestack Books.

Well Versed is edited by Jody Porter.
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