Poetry

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

?

...

in between sneezes

In between sneezes

& disease related wheezes

sternutation

hesitation

mini lull world

destination.





Yes in between atchoos

this fragile bubble time

in lieu 

providing some respite

from gesundheit

- maybe it's cleared

nostrils crossed

disappeared

...

routine inquiries


It was probably a Tuesday or Thursday

so let's call it Wednesday

as a form of compromise.





It was either evening or early

so now it's afternoon - let's follow through

with no surprise.





They said their name was Graham or Susannah

so let's say Grahannah

in the absence of objections.





& they definitely went off in 1 of several directions

& that's all I recall Your Majesty

any further questions

?

...

a village of 2 halves



The villagers that reside

to the south of the river

are the stuff of local nightmares

they frighten us - we shiver.





Those southerners they ingest

human flesh,

stir tea anti-clockwise

plus the animals & incest.





~





As the river flows through

the heart of this village

it alligns, defines

& keeps the North safe in its grim.





We burned the bridge last April

muttered curses - turned the tables

but there's some nasty hearsay circling

apparently they can swim

...