We Thought There’d Be More People

We thought there’d be more people,
we don’t know where they’ve gone
we were packed out last week
when we had the stripper on.

We thought there’d be more people
but it’s raining, sunny, snowing, dark,
they must be at the footie, watching Corrie,
barbecuing in the park.

We thought there’d be more people,
you deserve more there’s no doubt,
if we had six more months to advertise
I’m sure we’d have sold out.

We thought there’d be more people,
we hope that you don’t mind,
we thought there’d be more people,
this venue’s hard to find.

We thought there’d be more people
they promised they would come,
at least I’m here and you’re here,
and the venue owner’s Mum.

We thought there’d be more people,
they must have got lost along the way,
we thought there’d be more people,
but it’s always hard to say.

We thought there’d be more people
and walk-ups at the door,
we thought there’d be more people
but it’s Shakin’ Stevens’ farewell tour.

We thought there’d be more people,
but there’s been a lot of flu about,
we thought there’d be more people
but they’re not used to coming out.

We thought there’d be more people
but no one can afford a ticket
we thought there’d be more people,
we’re competing with the cricket.

We thought there’d be more people,
the info went out quite late,
we thought there’d be more people,
we should have picked the other date.

We thought there’d be more people-
that’s not us being boasters,
perhaps next time we’ll make some flyers
or maybe even posters.

We thought there’d be more people,
we booked the biggest room
because the Guardian did an article
about the Poetry Boom.

We thought there’d be more people
but you’re no Kate Tempest or Cooper Clarke,
still like black cats, your audience
will look similar in the dark.

We thought there’d be more people,
well, at least some more than three.
But you’re lucky there’s anyone here at all,
since you’re doing poetry.

Kate Fox reads as part of the Verse Matters event at Moor Theatre Delicatessen, 17 The Moor, Sheffield, S1 4PF on Saturday 27 May. Click here for further details. Read the Festival Interview with Kate Fox here.