on time

those tiny thorns tore
cute as kitten teeth
sharp as fish hooks
drew blood
that slender stem resisted
slim as a grass blade
strong as barbed wire
resistant
that bud closed tight
firm as a fist
locked safe-shut
blossomed

~

CLP 17/09/2021

From Leeds

enjoying the green space by the cathedral
spire pricking the blue autumn sky
stopping me, now a local, to ask
would you take some pictures please
first alone, then with my friend
landscape then portrait
mobile then iPad
we're going home tomorrow
to the other city of wool
the one of the hanging sheep

~

CLP 16/09/2021

Otter

less curious of us
you curl back below
to twist and curve 
through straggled reeds
continuing your pursuit
of perch or roach


your steady exhalation
pops free in tiny splashes
from bursting bubbles of CO2
that trace your submarine path
across the Yare to the sticky bank
growing from the falling tide


slick as the mud you move in
colour of the Yare that feeds you
you halt at last
check our movement, silence our whispers
less amused by us
you slip back below

~

CLP 14/09/2021

Me, Tarzan

come on then, come on
when you think you're ready
if you are sure you can
come on then, come on
gather your strength
you'll need it all
when you've mined enough courage
come on then, come on
deepest night, bright of day
you choose the time and weapons
I'm not running, I'm fully primed
come on then, come on
bare your teeth, beat your chest
sharpen your nails
bare your breasts
come on then, come on
I am waiting, I've no fear
drag me to the floor, take me down
it's not a fight, you can't lose
come on then, come on

~

CLP 15/09/2021

Treasure

how many tides have turned
shifted and smoothed
sifted and sorted
 the pebbles so
today the sea would give up this stone
so you might gift it me
precious as any stone
I have ever held

~

CLP 13/09/2021

Long Weekend


across bridges, through tunnels
down paths, along tracks
so many hours, hundreds of miles
I'm on my way back
I'm nearly home

~

CLP 12/09/2021

Last Minute Winner

a shot smashed in goal
release of all frustrated
tribal emotions

~

CLP 11/09/2021

Tired

cat at the tight wound wool
catches a loose loop on a claw
pounces, tumbles, rolls and scrabbles
twists, skips up
a kitten once more
turns and struts toward the kitchen door
feigning no interest
trailing the skein
unravelling

~

CLP 11/09/2021

Yesterdays

toes freed, feet tickled
by low-tide's sandy ribs
every single little breaking wave
a charge
fired through shocked ankle bones
sparking skin, heart, eyes
whipping North Sea air from my lungs
More waves! More waves! More waves!
more Yesterdays

~

CLP 09/09/2021

Wholly

within the whole a hole
where the light goes in
and warms the soul

~

CLP 08/09/2021