-
Wild Garlic
Pungent woodland trailBetween the bluebellsAnd forget-me-notsThe garlic running wildYou scrunched up two leavesOffered them to meTo roll between my palmsYou watchedMy deep inhalationOf the scented sapLeaked from the bruised vacuolesMay’s first dayWarmth, at lastA woodpecker drumming~ CLP 01/05/2024 →
-
The Myth of Love Exposed by the Cerne Abbas Giant
She yearned to know possessionHer aching womb forsook discretion She led him from the crowded tavernSkipped ahead, made sure he followedA moonlit path between beech treesTo the hillside where the giant liesManhood carved from ancient chalkPermanently erect, magnificent swordHe knew his seed had met its matchHe prayed forgiveness for coming sinAccepted her embrace, warm welcome →
-
One Frosty Night…
…when the guns were stillI dreamt of trees with leavesYoung men playing cricketChatter and laughter at a picnicLying face-up beside youWatching the swifts’ chaseAcross vast white pillowsThat dwarfed The MendipsYou squirming with delightGrass tickling your pale thighs~ n.b. NaPoWriMo 2024 Day 24 prompt: One poem from a line from another. This is from ‘Living Sepulchres’ →
-
Supineheroes
Superman Perpetuating the mythOne person can save the worldThe American FantasyDream on Superwoman You too think you can competePound for pound?Why do you think women’s superpowerIs language? Hulk Anger is an energyThat needs talking outLove is allYou need Catwoman Put food in a bowlFind a spot in the sunLet her sleepWe’ve lives to lead Batman →
-
Charlton Away
Saturday morning in FebruaryAn Azerbaijani barberWoolwich Road, SE10Student of Anglo-SaxonBemoans the errorsAnd ill-fortuneOf Edward GodwinsonAt HastingsThe military dictatorshipOf William bastardusThe carve-up of the old kingdomsEnslavement of the peopleThe castles casting shadowsOver those who built themLessons learntTaken abroadBy Royal NavyAnd Redcoats armyUntil America stood upWelcomed the exiled PaineThe Rights of ManApplied Common SenseBroke freeUnlike the English →
-
Grateful
Bluebells rang around the groundsDancing in the West WindWhile we sat insideListening in blackTo his grief-bent sonBoth arms locked stiffTight-knuckled at the lecternThat shookHe read as best he couldOf his dad, his friend Who had done his bestWhere demons huntThat broken voiceMatched his heartCaused him to pauseTo catch his breathHis daughter thanked usWho’d come this →
-
House Martin
Flipped from side to sideBy bursts of east windYou looped above the broadTaking an uncertain pathLike a notebook pageTorn out, discardedCaught by a stormy gustOn a Chicago street ~ n.b. First house martin of the year seen on Wednesday, 17th April, South Walsham Broad, Norfolk. CLP 18/04/2024 →
-
on the UAE
Come to the EmiratesSunshine guaranteeLive temporarilyIn well-oiled luxuryState-owned newsLaws set by royaltyThere’ll be no complaintsYou’ll have to agreeIf you come for workYou will do so tax-freeOr just splash outOn a guilt-blind shopping spreeIt never rainsWe don’t bother with drainsBut when it poursIt’s a year’s worth in a day ~ n.b. NaPoWriMo 2024 Day 18 prompt: →
-
“I want you to show me…”
It’s not a competitionHow easily it is to ignoreUkraine, where lies Babi YarThe ravine that carries a bloodlineTo Israel and PalestineIt’s not a competition ~ n.b. “I want you to show me another country facing over 110 ballistic missiles and drones.” Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israeli military spokesman, speaking after the over-night attack on Israel →
-
Forgetting
Memory provoked by a road side signMemory of a turn, a lane, a garden, homeMemory of a child, a run, jump, hugMemory blurred by tears and the rainMemory’s desiccation of grievous lossMemory over-written with new places, new peopleMemory stirred by faces in London crowdsMemory jarred by first notes of our songMemory confused by the joy →
Journey of Words 