Poems 2010

Poems

Poem of the week

Artichokes

In the morning she woke, body a sun-baked stone only her lips alive. Light streamed through the window touching her body, dissolving its’ white dust to gold
Cherry

Aunt Audrey

Aunt Audrey What would you choose to take with you? What objects would remind you of who you are in the new home you haven’t chosen?
Cherry

On the Bright Thread of Time

On the bright thread of time I am nobody’s child On the bright thread of time I am not your mother But some kind of kindred spirit With the power of a larger body
Cherry

January 12th

This shadow, multiplying mother after mother, is where my daughter labours in her own time her face a pale distance from mine. She rocks, gripping my hand tight so the rings hurt,
Cherry

First Drink

It started badly, his hand, bulging with anger Gripping mine too tight Pulling me to the car Slamming the door, (in a way I was always told not to) Screeching on hot tires, gravel spurting

Island States

A small patch of rescued flowers, a garden within a wilderness, a little group of powdery bluebells, one red and yellow, straight-up tulip, a scattering of pale purple campions.
Cherry

Salvage

You get what you pay for, he declares over a glass of white wine But do you? she asks, hugging a mug of tea. It’s not like a business, we will have to sit there and speak our hearts and minds
Cherry

Diary

At the door of this quiet room Your bedroom, holding all that you are In trust, There is an, almost, holy hush But for the unexpected flesh pink – Such a mistake – a pigs ear.

Do They Sing?

Do They Sing? Summer is slipping away early Skies are darkening; there is a slight chill What I thought was an errand of mercy is done - But found no mercy was needed.

Pacing

One warm small body in arms the other - cold - away up the stairs. The scrubby garden and the shed, where the cat had gone to die days earlier, just about summed it up