Poems

I was so capable

I was so capable.                                                                          Catherine Broughton I was so capable then, so alive, so agile. Nimble over the fine hills of the Downs, up there Behind where the rain moves in from the sea. The years have fled, the way they said they would, And even as I write, they flee.   I was so […]

Posted 10 years ago

Tropical climes.

The last song hits the evening, Sudden sound alone in the fading light. Darkness comes soon in these parts. In seconds day has turned to night And the sleep calls fade off to the lush green jungle, screeching song, plain, Sheltering in the night noises, sight Hidden till the sun rises again.   And then! […]

Posted 12 years ago

My mother.

My mother 1918-2010   My mother is like a fragile bird, I hold her in the palm of my hand So fearful lest she should fall.   Worried eyes, trembling heart. How to prevent or reassure when There’s no halting Age’s call? And the filmy wings, thin-feathered No longer fly, fly, fly The way they […]

Posted 12 years ago

She left.

Love is made of glass, so quickly shattered He thought he’d made a mistake. She left so suddenly, never a word, He hadn’t realized she wouldn’t take Any more of that anger, that snapping dog That he is when crossed. She left. He lost.   Love is made of glass, suddenly broken He always patched […]

Posted 12 years ago

Grass grows

Tiny fingers of breeze slip through the grass And over the field. Reaching between the blades, gentle Caress across the Weald. They grip on sometimes, cool fingers That would stay if they could But move on to the hills And travel through the wood and beyond the seas to other shores, to the grass in […]

Posted 12 years ago

The Shell

I held the shell to my sister’s ear, Listen – do you remember that sound ? The second tide is coming in, There is sand all around. We were playing at the water’s edge Where our little feet found The cool Pacific and tiny shells … Do you remember that sound ?   She clasped […]

Posted 12 years ago

The Child – Jake.

The Child. (Jake)   The sun slides off your fair hair Touches your shoulder and falls To the pebbles by your toes. Wide-eyed, you clutch the leaf Touch the caterpillar, Hold it to your nose And laugh.  That laugh – That fills my heart, little guy, Tiny white teeth and chocolate Around your mouth.  And […]

Posted 13 years ago

The Cleaning Lady

The Cleaning Lady. She’s not the sharpest tool in the box, Our June.  But she cleans well, If rather slowly.  Talks a lot. Has a lot to tell. I listen patiently, try to pretend Some interest, poor duck. She sips her tea, and hoovers, Has always had bad luck, But she’s a cheerful soul, And […]

Posted 13 years ago

Monz

Monz.   I think we’ll never meet again. I glanced back when we parted And I saw you were watching me. The sun filtered through the sky-light Unattractive yellowed high-light, And I made my way to the car Cold on a summer’s day. No, there is no more to say.   I think we’ll never […]

Posted 13 years ago

The Rhino (Etosha, sw Africa)

You stood in the leafless scrub, huge tank presence, so big, concrete block. Tiny eye that watched us. Sharp, silent, suspicious. Ready to charge. Engine rolling, first gear. You seemed to know. Was that sardonic That smile in your marble eye ? Huff. Slight movement. Seconds between us. Let’s go, I said, He looks cross. […]

Posted 13 years ago

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A Call From France
French Sand
Kefani: An African Childhood
The Man With Green Fingers
Saying Nothing