Tag Archives: poetry

Midwinter

Here’s the sister piece to my last post. I know we’re well past the Solstice, but winter goes on. The cold and the dark can seem relentless so stay warm, find some time to enjoy the stillness and remember that below ground spring is gently stirring. .

Winter puts down her bag

spreads out her cloak

settles in.

The earth stills, draws in to rest.

Light fades early, returns late,

inky shadows swallow sunsets and cloud bears down

with impossible, ephemeral weight.

When the Holly King is in full charge

and the earth slumbers in the cold

we long for Yule

the turn of the wheel

the return on the light.

We are halfway through the dark.

Future Calling

Sometimes you need to listen to that quiet inner voice…

Steampunk Clock

 

 

Hey you. Yes, you. It’s your future calling.

Well, one possibility anyway. The best, I’d like to think.

I’ve seen some of the others and they’re not…

 

So anyway

I was watching you sleep earlier

Peaceful, your arm thrown over your forehead.

Now you’re eating breakfast, toast, marmalade,

Unaware that later today she’s going to call you

And offer you an opportunity, a chance

The one you secretly long for.

I so hope you take it

I know what’s most likely to happen

And it’s me.

 

But of course you don’t know that.

I have the benefit of hindsight and you, well,

You have questions and concerns

All those other possible futures crowding in with their

Doubts and insecurities, their what ifs and wherefores.

I can see an alternative now, one of many, and it’s OK

Nothing spectacular but comfortable

Safe.

If you choose that path at the fork, you’ll be all right,

Happy even.

But you’ll always wonder.

 

Yes, I know nothing’s certain, even me.

But this. This is so important.

This is your dream.

It could be your life.

Trust yourself.

It won’t all be roses, it won’t all be easy,

But I see those other futures and most of them

Are tinged with regret for the step not taken,

The no instead of yes.

Please.

It’s a leap of faith but take it.

Let yourself fly.

January

January – it’s not the easiest month and sometimes it seems to go on far longer than it should. But it’s a beginning, one of many, and they should always be celebrated. So here’s a little poem and may we meet ourselves and each other along the road.

 

In his deepest winternessdeserted road

When the dark was no longer

Velvet snug

But a black yawning void

He realised that he

Had lost himself somewhere

And being too tired to search

And too listless to care

He went out

Into the dank mist

And the sad rain

Walking

Wishing that he could just

Go away

Or perhaps meet himself

On the road, coming back.

Gothic Nightmare

It’s National Poetry Day, so here’s a little offering from me. Sweet dreams!

 

The castle scowled on the hill,

Towers and turrets silhouetted by

Shards of lightning and a clouded moon.

Storm thickened darkness hung heavy,

Dragging on each fearful breath.

I followed the twisting path,

On and on, up and up,

Feet drawn by some other force.

Around me, the forest sighed, shifting,

Creeping closer,

Tired of waiting,

Hungry.

castle door

Photo by Judhi Prasetyo

 The castle waited, baited, dared,

Rain poured in torrents from rips in the sky,

Smoothed the stones but could not wash them clean.

Faint ghost glimmer in the windows

A sorry echo of light.

Fear choked, I tried to turn and run

But my feet betrayed me.

The arched door, old wood, rusting hinges,

One side open, as though I was expected.

I could feel it,

In the shadows,

Starving.

A Plethora of New Books

MOLP 2015 Front CoverOn Valentine’s Day I will be in the auspicious company of six other authors and our wonderful publishers Tracey and Simon West , for the official release of our books plus the Magic Oxygen Literary Prize Anthology 2015.

There will be a ‘Meet the Author’ event at the Hub in Lyme Regis, as part of the Lyme Regis Literary Festival, where you can come and chat to Max Brandt, James Dunford-Wood, Sue Hampton, Chris Hill, Rob Windsor, Gordon Strong and me, and have a look at our books (an eclectic mix catering for all tastes!)

Following that will be the announcement of the winners of the Magic Oxygen Literary Prize. This new and ground breaking competition with two categories (short stories and poems) planted a tree for every entrant in the competition (800 trees so far). The winning and shortlisted entries are included in the anthology, and another tree will be planted for each copy sold – and having been lucky enough to be on the judging panel for the Prize, I can assure you that this is not a book you want to miss! Brilliant stories and poems all, they will make you smile, weep and gasp.

The event will be starting at 11 a.m. For more details, go to  http://www.magicoxygen.co.uk/contact/   and drop the team a line. Keep an eye on their website too. Hope to see you there.

Secrets

Man saying hush!Does everyone have a secret? A big one, a little one, one that makes no real difference or one that could change someone’s life?

Maybe it’s not really yours, but one you’re keeping for someone else. Other people’s secrets can be the really tricky ones, the ones that lay heaviest on you.

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