Sonnet IX

and then you have to make
small house a room
turn it up
let the
twist of lemon ice
outside
soundless
so it seems
a ripple
in the new year
moving towards
the light of day
don't wait
for me

Without History

Under the unnamed trees
always alone
dead leaves underfoot
hardly ever
through the grass hardly
crushing out the life
gold sunlight red and brown

Sonnet VIII

there is a bitterness
stark rancid air
this dark short day
turn the lights on
relieve with a trick
sleight of hand
temporary ceasefire
a pleasant smile

feet planted in the soil
and the rain will come
first a sad droplet
then pouring down
fills your pockets
floods your shoes

Sonnet VII

temperatures rise but rain falls
startled tumult on the window pane
regular rhythm and even rhyme
life lived beneath the floodlights
an essence overcomes the shadows
a breeze blows from the sidelines
and so it goes lap by lap
sweat washed from the heated brow
steady speed barely takes the strain
keep counting down hold the focus
there is only this moment
savour each breath gasp of pain
the stars are out tonight
hot breath lifts towards them

Sonnet VI

daydreams of the waterfall sublime
a most magnificent Cascade
coming down as we come up
in the Vale of the Roaring Brook
turbulence provides an altered state
curious calm in the Thunder-shower
a savage roar in the ears
vast crowd of huge white Bears
clamber in over the rocks
move out of imperfect shelter
into the dark pool itself
falling in into icy water
and suddenly a new perspective
swims in below the surface

Cowboys & Indians

Some secret mystery awaits. Wisdom and knowledge. What is the difference? Wait for the word. Crowd around. The art of wonder. Idleness a pleasure before the cowboys roll in, slap their thighs, succumb to much hilarity.

Sonnet V

of course it all comes back
an offshore breeze rumples
the water ruffles the hair
pink boomerang in flight
rears up into grey matter
brief resistance to the elements
onwards and upwards a pause
and something hurtles back to earth
return to simple dialogue
the big questions dealt with
in occasional glances an easy
quiet beneath the knife
and fork click and clack
the unheard beating of the heart