This piece was written for the Carrot Ranch's double ennead challenge. Obviously this relates to winter in the northen parts of the northern hemisphere. Sol sat solo, silent, in his melting cell, hatching his plan to flee his hibernation, bring Winter’s reign down and turn freeze into free. Summer would soon follow, (he would scorch … Continue reading Spring sprung
Poetry
Blood lines
This piece was written for D'Verse's challenge this week to demonstrate turns in poetry – where a poem shifts gear or opens a window. At her birth she staggered on unfamiliar legs while her mother licked her clean and tried not to stand on her in forgetfulness or fatigue. Soon she stood alone, with a coat that … Continue reading Blood lines
The mother of deserved sorrows
This is my response to the D'Verse poetry challenge around paradox. I am the mother of deserved sorrows I am the ender of the grief. I am violator of the rapists I am the robber of the thief. I am killer of the killers, I am the harbinger of fate. I am the slayer of … Continue reading The mother of deserved sorrows
The Uncommon Cold
A double enead poem (99 syllables in 3 stanzas of 6/5/11/6/5) written for this Carrot Ranch challenge with accompanying photo. The bleak uncommon cold of northern winters speaks not to warmer Southern Hemisphereans (well, bar Antarctica and kitsch Christmas cards). If I was there today I’d want to leave soon and sit by a fire … Continue reading The Uncommon Cold
Snarky snickersnackery
This preposterous piece of poetic puerility was written for the divine Ms. Owen's 'A Mused Poetry' prompt for this week: 'Snarky Rant. That's right: a jaded, sarcastic, fed up, perhaps even nihilistic poem in an "I stick it to you, sucky events!" manner.' I'll thank Charles Dodgson for the inspiration when next I see him. The … Continue reading Snarky snickersnackery
Remember not and remember
I have just re-discovered this piece I wrote for my wife, Sue, when her beloved younger brother was facing his final days with us. Remember not his lostness in space, his days, numbered and unnumbered, annihilated through ingestion, his false stairways climbed in hope of heaven his roads travelled to others’ horizons; he knew the … Continue reading Remember not and remember
Black, white and brindle truth
If you are sensitive about your beliefs then I'm not quite sure why you are following this blog. Nevertheless, this piece is more challenging and requires deeper thought than most. I look forward to your comments. All people of colour have a deep spiritual connection to the land of their ancestors. Never trust a black … Continue reading Black, white and brindle truth
Me, you and him: A study in disability
Yesterday, before we planned the future, I watched you scan the room and discretely re-arrange it to make his wheelchair entry as smooth as your own. As the room talked, you led the listening to him and planted your thoughts on the borders of his lifetime garden. At some signal I did not see, the … Continue reading Me, you and him: A study in disability
Momentous times
For my wife, Sue. There are no bricks and mortar to stand in place of a life lived not for the moment but in the moment so that all times are momentous. If your life is to simply stand still, then be still. If it is to be simple then let it be simple. Who … Continue reading Momentous times
New Poets 21
Proud to have been part of the launch of Friendly Street's New Poets 21 collection last night, in company with Tarla Ritchie and Mark Kramer. If you'd like to buy a copy, they're a bit old school on payments and there are no e-book versions available but we'd all be pleased if you could see … Continue reading New Poets 21
