Memory Threshold(On my grandfather’s birthday) My father’s father-whom I never knew-saw first light in the yearthat Hardy publishedFar from the Madding Crowd. He surveyed the damagethrough Cabbage leaves,watched birds & beesilluminate their lives – like platesinside an antique pillow book. He and his sister – Mary,unwanted offspringof bug eyed immigrants,clinging to a board clad hovelinContinue reading “Memory Threshold”
Tag Archives: #poets
Field Song
Field Song In ravages of daylight,he tracks the orb’s declinetowards the arc of the Birch. Sun baked hours concedeto shadows–blisters crackwith open parched throat; a brittle earth churningbeneath his cortège–in stepwith hooves & gyrating ironwood. ©️ Orion Foote
Codger’s Notebook
Codger’s Notebook Mid-morning Camellias pingunder a muted sundial –Codger notes their progress;his concertina file pregnant with earmarked outtakes. Afternoon chill factors hoveinto view on the horizon –their misty eyed vapours hint at surmised outcomes;all annotations are updated. Dead letters depart on cuetowards a vanishing point –time is beside itself, sunbathing at another empty juncture;all fodderContinue reading “Codger’s Notebook”
Dancing in Absentia
Dancing in Absentia Why isn’t it enough to speak the sordid truth, while a jealous moon steals our thunder – assumes the limelight in a twinkling mid-winter sky. Why isn’t it enough to dance a rabid Tango – cut a dash around words etched in snow, that rise like a chorus from a well ofContinue reading “Dancing in Absentia”
Returns
Returns(for Bill) Slit eyed cherub marks time;drills his heels like a drunkenflamenco dancer – arm in armwith snare & hi-hat bluster. He’s shouting at thunder;swiping at air with steel batonin the purge of a moonlit hour. Merlin’s on stilts with menaceand puffed cheeks – gangly armsslash & grind, swinging overthe din of hammers. Fingers bouncingContinue reading “Returns”
Winter Swing
Winter Swing In this house & on this street,I heard you once;strumming bespoke chordsthrough an open sash window.They hung like snowflakesin the timid light,fell through black holeswith a handful of stars— in search of a cadencethat would ring true. And nocturnal showersthrew down in sympathy,had a damn good howlas I carried the tune,entertained it–unpacked itbarContinue reading “Winter Swing”
Tabula Rasa
Tabula Rasa You speak as if to remember;as if wondering how words escapethrough tiny cracks – I track themdown and revel in the thought. And what of the light switchthat is somehow jammed;neither off nor on, but stuckunwittingly in-between, picking fights with the fuse box. That is how these things are.This is how I learnContinue reading “Tabula Rasa”
Almost True
Almost True Your words throw gravitasacross silent winter skies;peeping through dusty shadesof lavender cloudsas if ripe for translation.We have all met beforebut we just don’t know it. These things will remain;compress & distortthrough a corrosive eyeuntil understood by all. And isn’t it also true,that the tracks I leaveare processed by memory;that I am hereyet seemContinue reading “Almost True”
Unsent
Unsent At the grimace of dawn,you watch the dayrecede from the minds eye;keep watch for first signsof spring – made good on its word. Each small living thingis seen through infant eyes,and a blue interim has liftedthe frost – shaken black seedsfrom their frigid cradles. At days end you dinewithout hunger – without the weightofContinue reading “Unsent”
Your Song Is My Song
Your Song is My Song It’s a wrap at the Chinatownshindig – they’re painting starsabove Beaumont Highway tonightwith high-viz neon sparks. It’s all light frou-frouswith laughing gas & smoke,embroidering the black shroudwith on the fly calligraphy. Between narrow slitsof a wooden shack,a lambs eye is squinting through celestial vapours.Stupefied by black tarand brandy, a manContinue reading “Your Song Is My Song”