Horticulture, Me, No

Whatever the plant is
I feel it must have a purpose
Perhaps to flavour the soup
Or to keep evil spirits at bay

It is not a Bay
For we have one of those in our garden
The leaves we use in curries
And other culinary delights

I take a photograph
Knowing the description will be inadequate
However, in the framing of the image
I am more drawn to the layered cloud sky

Which I am also pretty certain
Will have an encyclopaedic name
Which will make no mention
Of its effect on me this morning

Happenstance in Heptonstall

Poems Started at Lumb Bank

Arvon 2018

Available from Amazon

In Memory Of Fred Dibnar

The noise follows me around
Or I go in search of it
Then I see a photograph
Of Andrew Miller in a raincoat
He reminds me of a football manager
But I guess he is a writer

I move seats
To look onto the small patch of flowers
The names of which I do not know
Neither can I accurately describe their colours
I can though hear the river
And the partridges calling out

I take six steps
Across the grass
To the cast iron fence (waist high)
I peer over
Down the steep-sided valley
To the right, an old mill chimney, with scaffolding

Happenstance in Heptonstall

Poems Started at Lumb Bank

Arvon 2018

Available from Amazon

Gilded Splinters

Warm behind my eyes
Warm in my heart
Water droplets
On the inside of the window
Condensation
Drawn out of my study bedroom
Taken also from my bodies heat
Turned into the image of
Joy Division’s album cover
Unknown Pleasures
Outside
The frustrated Russian Vines
Or Clematis
Or Virginia Creepers
Cling to this third-floor glass
In some misjudged, misaligned hope
That in this the driest of summers
They may reach the staff of life
Which my room and I have gifted
Though actually they have sealed it off completely

Happenstance in Heptonstall

Poems Started at Lumb Bank

Arvon 2018

Available from Amazon

Altogether Unsuited

Be mindful
Probe step by step
Build a structure
Keep back the incendiary devices

Talk quietly about risk
Use that fucking-word poetics
For what purpose
Why to stand aside

In that place I didn’t intend to be
Where immaturity, indifference
And need
All catch me out

Do not be afraid to step outside
Go to that quieter place
Find another way
To receive advice

Write about your mother
Or a lover
Or anyone else you totally know
Or at least might have truly known

Happenstance in Heptonstall

Poems Started at Lumb Bank

Arvon 2018

Available from Amazon

Fleet Of Foot

The sun has slow returned
Also the still, with stillness
At the apex of the tree

Such light, so still
That it highlights one tree
Ahead of the bank of forestation

Is the new dress
Still then favoured
Will it do for the wedding

Are the shoes though
Still to be chosen
Comfortable for the all day

The horizon takes all in
The one still cloud
Is slow to drift

In the jungles isn’t there a word
For that place
Where sky and forest meet

Happenstance in Heptonstall

Poems Started at Lumb Bank

Arvon 2018

Available from Amazon