With the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act now looking to be taking it’s dying breaths – until the scottish gov impose strict liability – CQN’s poet Kevin Graham tries to capture what it is has been like under the OBA for the average Celtic supporter…
MY OFFENSIVE SCARF – by Kevin Graham
As I grab my scarf
from the place it’s lovingly kept
decide what knot
will hang round my neck
walk out the door
to be become a suspect.
That I will offend someone,
somewhere
cause I’ve decided
what scarf to wear
meeting my friends
and paying bus fare.
As we travel
we can’t have a beer
cause wearing a scarf
is something to fear
It will cause me to sing
what you don’t want to hear.
At a stadium
entered with an overpriced ticket
canny buy a pint
standing is prohibit
details stored
as a potential trial exhibit.
As I’m filmed
eating my pie,
discussing defeats
or players gone by
celebrating a goal
or rueing chances denied.
I may offend
in the same clothes I wore
that morning,
when I went through the door
to the cashline
and trainers on the bookies floor.
But without the scarf
I’m not a danger
to societies fabric
or a potential major
criminal, as I’m showing
no signs of bad behaviour.
As my scarf is lying
where it’s lovingly kept
a criminal noose
not round my neck
only football fans are suspects.
Written by Kevin Graham for CQN
