Two Inches To The Right: A Poem By Mat Lloyd

Two Inches To The Right
A Poem By Mat Lloyd


Today's feature is Two Inches To The Right, a poem which portrays a tale, so often heard these days, of the increasing knife culture experienced within the UK.

In Mat's words, "living near London, the poem has never been retired and still appears in my performance sets. With youth violence seemingly growing year on year, the poem is as relevant now as it was when I wrote it. People blame hip hop culture, movies, video games, parents, the education system. unemployment, the list goes on. i don't have the answer.

The saddest thing about "2 Inches to the Right" is all to often, someone from the crowd comes to speak to me after I leave the stage and tells me of their friend who died in a similar situation. This poem gives them hope that some may listen, and think twice."

Despite the fact that this gritty piece is set in London the poem undoubtedly will touch on youth culture throughout the world.




Two Inches to the Right
A Poem By Mat Lloyd

There was a murder last night

Because it was two inches to the left

Now you wouldn't have heard of last night

But it was two inches to the left!

You see they blame it on boredom

This getting drunk in the park

And they blame it on boredom

Terrorising people in dark

And on this particular cold dark night

They'd chosen their usual path

They were stupid, drunk and bored

And someone was going to feel their wrath

In the dark they chose their victim

It was easy, a random choice

Because they were stupid, drunk and bored

And some was going to hear their voice

As head idiot swung his instrument

He had all his friends running in tow

Now he wasn't quite sure why it was cool

But at least his mates said so

And as he struck the head of RANDOM

He stumbled to the floor

He was dead before he hit it

They didn't need to kick him more

Witness's they screamed and hollered

But idiot ran off into the night

Whilst random up and left this earth

And walked calmly into the light

As the judge handed down the sentence

It sounded a lot like "LIFE"

He said, "Get this idiot shackled"

"And in a cage tonight!"

His lawyer said, "If you hadn't killed him"

"You would have been alright!"

"You probably got community service"

"And been in your own bed tonight!"

Now idiot, still an idiot

Realises it's not quite so cool to fight

Sits there in his handcuffs and chains

And wishes he'd hit 2 inches to the right

Copyright Mat Lloyd

For a copy of Mat's Collection please click on the link below