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  1. Culture
  2. Poetry
23 November 2022

The NS Poem: The Mad

A new poem by Will Eaves.

By Will Eaves

Photo by Nigel Maudsley/Millennium Images

Answers are pat.
They do not reach the mad
At the end of long tables.
They do not even reveal
Who makes such ugly tables.
Today the whole street
Is full of knowing, but silent 
Like the inside of a mirror. 
The neighbourhood felines,
Released from window duty, 
Exchange frank looks that say 
Without saying all they might: 
If it’s answers you’re after,
Try better questions.

Will Eaves is the author of five novels, two books of poetry and, most recently, a pamphlet, “Exposed Staircase” (Rack Press)

Read more poetry published in the New Statesman here

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This article appears in the 23 Nov 2022 issue of the New Statesman, Russian Roulette

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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