Me Grimlock Rex: me loyal, dependable pet.
Me half-breed of crocodile clip and referee whistle.
Me pattable-on-the-nose. Me prattle in patois.
Me undeconstructible. Me chaser of petrorabbits.
Me epitomise noble savage. Me children’s plaything.
Me barrel-chested curveball in straightedge world.
Me brawler. Me bawler. Me care for nothing but strength.
Me obviously fighting on wrong side.
JAMES BROOKES grew up in rural Sussex, England. His first full collection, Sins of the Leopard (Salt Publishing, 2012), was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize.