"Prayers for the boys on BMX's swarming the street with switchblade stingers."
"Prayers for Angry Young Men" is one of Robinson's most well-known poems, and has been praised for its depiction of "angry young men" who had been "caught on the wrong road in the wrong postcode" in London. The image here is disturbing, as the image of "boy," with connotations of innocence and youth, is contrasted with the violence of the "switchblade."
"Prayers for the young men caught on the wrong road in the wrong
postcode."
In "Prayers for Angry Young Men," Robinson offers a series of "prayers" to young men on the streets of London, who have been caught up in violence. In this passage, he suggests that these men have been unlucky, and have been "caught in the wrong postcode," suggesting that their fate has a lot to do with their socio-economic status.
"Beneath his Panama hat, his mind held a Blue Morpho, its aqua wings moving in slow motion in one spot."
In "Blue Morpho," Robinson describes this type of butterfly, using imagery to describe its "aqua wings." Butterflies are seen frequently in Robinson's poetry, representing transformation and Robinson's experiences as an immigrant.
