Poem

legerdemain(ia)


We Spell your many names

- we do

on assortments

of blank A4 pads,

neat pumice & tattered rags,

scribbled ink hand's;

riddles yet to understand.





We try to remember them all

in order

before they're once more

rearranged

compelled by forces

varied & strange

- we Spell your many names

...

the cress years


Yes 1 remembers cress

with a distinct fond

ness

the stubby sweaty thumbs

of its uncle-esque caress.





The way it laughed & cried

like turpentine

was far-right at times

& made myrtle wine.





Plus who can lest forget

the rash on its left elbow

that resembled

Rasputin or the Isle of Wight?

But that was many Manis

& several Lunas gone now

- mere dingy memories

dwindled of light

...

oliver cromwell’s head is still missing



Oliver Cromwell's head

is still missing

for over 3 centuries

I wonder where it could be?





I've recently double-rummaged

through every loft & pocket,

dredged the canal,

checked behind the settee.





So then I printed off some

'HAVE YOU SEEN MY HERO'S HEAD?' notes

with a number to call

plus a portrait - warts & all.





& stapled them onto tree trunks

& the Parish Council Notice Bored

- yes Cromwell's head has gone

but he's not the only 1

...

a lucky escape


The insects were noted by their absence

on this morning's walk

as hedgerows dozed

thick socks - warm toes.





This countryside is alive & wise

yet often sleeping

there should be a do not disturb sign

to kindly remind the urban inclined.





But the dog & I we wandered on

through Winterland

passed an assortment of bare trees

we marvelled at their scarcity.





Then we turned a corner & there as clear as magenta

with child-botherer top-lip hair

& eyes of fading ember

stood December.





'Run'

...

a storm in your pocket

There appears to be a storm

in your pocket

a raging gale

drenched howls of wail. 





There appears to be a storm

in your pocket

cold nefarious fronts

arctic gusts of mistrust.





There appears to be a storm

in your pocket

keeping people indoors

its terror batters with force.





Oh there appears to be a storm 

in your pocket - 'cause there is

please tell me where you bought it

or is this storm a gift

?

...