We March in March - a poem by Amander Wellings

We March in March

Norm the Trafalgar Square pigeon scans the horizon ​from his roost​

Atop the fourth column​

Atop the dust covered ‘Journal of Research Gobbledegook’​

Atop the long library ladder so out of reach!​

Heard rumours it’s a health research campaign art piece.​

Viewed scenes like this before ​

used to kerfuffle beneath​

shrill sounds of whistle blowers

moving rainbow of banners and placards​

‘Make transparency the Norm’ they chant ​

Curiouser and curiouser, why they use my name?​

Please make it become clear ​

What do they want?​

I knows they want it NOW

Health Research Authority lead the march ‘reSEARCH the registry’​

‘I want feedback, feed me NOW! Hungry for knowledge’​

Myalgic encephalomyelitis group plea ​to ‘Research with M.E’​

Creative arts for Arthritis mobilise my imagination​

Free knowledge, smash the Paywall!​

The blog is mightier than the scalpel

Poetry informs me​

Speak my language​

‘Easy read for all’ the message from a learning disabilities group​

Draw me into a cartoon, inform in infographic

Research is a STAGE perform for me​

Spring me a research summary​

Sharing Knowledge saves scarce resources

So they march mobilising their Knowledge, mobilising their frustrations​

I’m not here to tick your box. Give me power they chant ​

It’s Ethical to share​

We already have the wheel!​

Sight charity chants ‘don’t be blind to research results’​

Cancer charities ‘grow the knowledge shrink the disease’​

Dementia charities ‘Don’t forget to tell Us’ ​

Drums beat out the rhythm of the masses as they march noisily but peacefully onwards.​

What do we want? Research transparency!​

When do we want it? Now!

Shall we all meet online instead? Share ideas and values together.​

Move forward the campaign, mobilise our shared resources and powers.​

Change not chant!​

We workshop in March The AIM’​

Make transparency THE NORM’​

As for Norm the pigeon he goes back to his ​

quiet life dreaming of giant ice creams!​

Quoth the pigeon NEVERMORE!

Amander Wellings