wordsmiths but many of us shy away from the art and the best harness the power of words, poetry. but not my guest today. john cooper clarke once called the punk poet, all his life is used words, rhythm and rhyme to bind human and truth in the chaos of everyday life. thanks to the internet one of his crimes has become a worldwide viral sensation. where does his word magic come from. poems. john cooper clarke, welcome to hardtalk. great to have you here. ijust read your memoir in one of the first sentences as this one, all my life all i ever wanted to be was a professional poet. i ve heard of kids who wanted to be train drivers, professional footballers but redefine a kid who always knew he wanted to be a poet. how come? a poet. how come? when i say alwa s, a poet. how come? when i say always. i a poet. how come? when i say always. i guess a poet. how come? when i say always, i guess from a poet. how come? when i say always, i guess from the - a poet. how come? when i
-unk? w through had it not been for n”. you through had it not been for punk? ha. you garnished your punk? no. you garnished your act to a you punk? iiru you garnished your act to a you evolution? punk? no. you garnished your act to a you evolution? that s| act to a you evolution? that s riaht, act to a you evolution? that s right, when punk act to a you evolution? that s right, when punk came - act to a you evolution? that s| right, when punk came about, act to a you evolution? that s l right, when punk came about, i got the residency, this is as good as it got in the cabaret world. i was dressed in a particular way that i thought fitted that environment. i had seen a movie called the small world of sammy lee starring robert stevens and anthony newley, in which anthony newly plays this proto mod looking character, who would do all the joints in the soho area, you know. he would introduce the main act. and i landed that kind of a gig, club called mr smith s. don t forget this i