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4 February 2013updated 07 Sep 2021 11:03am

2 September 1939: “Nerves“ by Sagittarius

Information overload.

By sagittarius

I think I’ll get the paper,
I think I’d better wait.
I’ll hear the news at six o’clock,
That’s much more up to date.

It’s just like last September,
Absurd how time stands still;
They’re bound to make a statement.
I don’t suppose they will.

I think I’d better stroll around.
Perhaps it’s best to stay.
I think I’ll have a whisky neat,
I can’t this time of day.

I think I’ll have another smoke.
I don’t know what to do.
I promised to ring someone up,
I can’t remember who.

They say it’s been averted.
They say we’re on the brink.
I’ll wait for the New Statesman,
I wonder what they think.

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They’re shouting. It’s a Special.
It’s not. It’s just street cries.
I think the heat is frightful.
God damn these bloody flies.

I see the nation’s keeping cool,
The public calm is fine.
This crisis can’t shake England’s nerves…
It’s playing hell with mine.

By Sagittarius (Olga Katzin), 1939.

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
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