This collection draws together poetry written between the fall of 2017 to summer 2019, reflecting upon the unique qualities of life and relationships, observed through an ordinary eye. The author says, “Within these words are themes anyone can connect with, be this from a simple desire to, a personal experience, misfortune or something they once overheard.”
Oh God I feel so rough this day
Too much of food of smoke drink drunk
Last night consumed inhaled, I pray
To blow right through this cloudy funk
An arachnophobic look said
With nails drawn deep into her knees
Old man what has entered your head?
Rather you do not tell me please Continue reading “get to the point”
Unsure if the darkened cafe is actually open
I sweep inside, straight past the hosts
Despite their earnest efforts to engage
Princess Charlotte says I look ‘dapper’ –
Referring to my outfit
She – with dark blue eyes
Dual German-Irish princess, by birth-right
Still, I penetrate deeper into the darkened space
Ignoring the time-spent on decorations
I don’t register such things
So, I actually made it to the Christmas fancy dress party!
Having left it ’til the last minute to decide
Congratulations are in order
Certainly
No mean feat
Ignoring everyone I pass by
My mission is to disembark my coat
Find the safe place
Hat and scarf
To boot
Now
Where is the drink?
Wine
Why wine?
Why white wine
Against red?
Chat
Small-talk
Forced
Uncomfortable
Move on
Notice Derek, chatting intensively
To shy Lina
Join them
Graciously elbow Derek out
Lina opens up
I nod head, agree
Say something wrong
She leaves
Smarting
I disappear for a cigarette
Reappear, drawn to the Ladies in Waiting
I chew the fat, yet
Before I settle in
All six arise together and leave
I am doing well
Another cigarette, outside
Back in, attracted to Cordelia
The source of light
To a dusty old moth
“You look well. Pretty, you look, well pretty”
Stumbling words
I am stared down by her friends
She leaves
To involve herself elsewhere
Secret Santa exchange begins
I watch my wrapped gift picked up
Several times and placed back down
I can’t bear to watch, find another table
Here’s Tara, locks tied back.
But it is exclusively me-talk
I can’t get a word in edgeways
Facing failure, I am elbowed out of the way
By a grandpa age-difference man
That’s how bad I performed
Full circle
I chat to the two Princess Charlottes
Explaining how my gift hasn’t been picked
Now I don’t want to give it away
I decide, so take it back for myself
Mild confusion ensues
I beg my leave
I retrieve coat, hat and scarf
I don’t look back
“If only I had said this…” all the way home
A dove found dead with chest split open wide.
White feathers surround, heart lays still nearby. Continue reading “TL:DR crow takes dove’s heart”
It came as a shock,
A sensationalist presenter of a tabloid talk show,
Dead, killed, live on TV.
He had been crouched low,
In front of the set.
Goading an increasingly agitated-looking guest.
Waving typed-out notes in one hand,
Pointing his microphone accusingly in the other.
The murmuring of the audience increased in volume as he spat out formulaic provocations.
Where were the security staff,
As the burly youth rose from his chair?
All at once running and swinging his leg backwards,
Before bringing his boot into contact
With the underside of his inquisitor’s chin.
Over,
In less than two seconds.
It was shown and re-shown, endlessly on the news.
Stopping just before the critical moment,
To spare viewers of an unpleasant scene,
As a body lifted up and a head snapped backwards.
A mercifully,
Quick release.
For all concerned
And for all people everywhere,
Including ancestors and descendants.
