Journey of Words

Category: Poetry

  • Hansel & Greta

    My little sister I am frightened I do not understand How we got here I do not know How we’ll get back . Oh little brother Just accept We are here This kitchen is too hot We must get out And bring the witch . Without her we’re all dead In a ditch . CLP →

  • Moon Slip

    Wearing little but a smile She slides off stage early this evening Generously leaving us The uncountable cosmic array With all the stars of the distant past And contemporary bright young things But this hurried exit is not what it seems The night threatens crystal clear cold And she doesn’t like bitter So she pursues →

  • Danseurs

    Not yet Christmas Engorged rivers Tug steadily at bank-side roots Drag at moorings Carry off great trunks of dead willow . Three mallards caught in an eddy Dance like Bretons A slow, rhythmic circle Passing gradually beneath the arch Spinning off downstream Oblivious to the rising flood . CLP 28/11/2019 →

  • Pied Pauper

    Let’s go My little companions I cannot sleep Follow me To the bakery Doorway Where we’ll be warm Tonight You can eat Crumbs Tomorrow I will wake To the smell Of bread . n.b. I may be between homes, but I have choices. As we move to winter there are far too many people of →

  • Big Bird

    Hey! Huge heron With your alarming croak It sounds to me like You’ve got a frog In your throat . n.b. I was surprised by one of these large creatures taking off from the adjacent field as I stepped into the garden this morning. . CLP 27/11/2019 →

  • Lyon (VI)

    Sunday’s streets mostly silent I hear the leathery leaf of a plane tree fall Now Saturday’s night is done This is how life used to be A day of rest, officially When even clocks seem to pause But Metro lines, buses and trams Still running efficiently Over the viaduct a TGV rolls A slow start →

  • Lyon (V)

    Out to the east Where there is space Derelict factories rust A stadium has been built Tram lines laid Office blocks stand Apartments planned Colour blind posters Promote hygienic living At the concrete shopping arcade Teenagers Gather out of the pissing rain Under the awning Listening to music In the company of old drunks The →

  • Cards or Dice (Lyon IV)

    Cut, shuffle Rattle, roll Which is better? I don’t know. When asking for a sign Throw the jacks . n.b. Fate does not lay out our fortune, but the interpreter of fortunes does. We hear what we want to hear, believe what we choose and act out our lives accordingly. King James VI of Scotland, →

  • Lyon (III)

    The bottle cap must be removed So you cannot throw the plastic bottle Of water I pour my drink At the feet of the security staff Toss the bottle in a bin Meanwhile, standing under trees On the walkway to the ground Young men imbibe Cases of cheap beer before the game Inside they spew →

  • Points of Departure

    Side by side They moved off together On the green signal Paced perfectly From beneath the shadow Into the low morning sun Simultaneously Tempo steadily climbing Synchronised Flicks of stanchion shadows passed faster In tandem The lines gradually diverged Curved Stretched them apart She waved He turned to his phone . CLP 23/11/2019 →