Author Archives: grahamswords1962

17 July 2021 Dawn broke to a cushioned hush as if those last held breaths were cotton wool crushed – and preserved, and saved, and held, like one too many goals. Somewhere, between the walking of those lasts silent steps and the breaking of dawn, the bunting had been taken down, without a sound. Windows,Continue reading “One of them”

For Fathers’ Day Through my mind’s eye, the one that cannot, will not cry, I can still see the fine, life worn, war torn lines in your face. Each and every crack, a river flowing with untold pain. Silent slivers and creeks, scarred like wind dried, ice split cheeks, Inlets flowing not out, they noContinue reading “Dinner Plate”

For anyone that ever went on a club trip to the seaside Take the quiet little train from quiet Bempton, It’s a relaxing, calming fifteen-minute ride. There’s nothing grandiose to greet you at the station, Where Yorkshire collides with the North Sea tide. The pavements are so clean they could be German, Above the saltContinue reading “A day out”

For Anna Louise, with thanks for the loan of her photographs May 31st Here peace propagates, nurturing my mind, with buttercup, dandelion, and dock. Amid the clematis, gentle and kind, I sleep my beating mind, dismiss the clock. Softly my heart sighs, secure where it lies, My mind breathes, at ease, at last in thisContinue reading “Sanctuary”

For Trotsky, no, not that one. May 28th Farewell delicious citrus companion, For three years we shared our breakfast table, Breaking the night’s fast together as one, And now, you gone, and I, miserable. Three-fold were your sweet sunshine hued fruit rinds, Melded too with sugars from cane filled isles. Our love connection, forged byContinue reading “Gone”

or, Taking a walk with Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge May 27th T  H  I  S       M  O  M  E  N  T. That moment is gone. And that moment about that moment is gone. And this moment too will be gone. Is gone. And now you enter the race, the race to beat the moment’s elapse, ToContinue reading “Being here”

For Andrew, who likes a political allegory May 26th Opaque tears run races down green lanes on freshly waxed leaves, Each translucent drop fashioned and tempered aloft. Water babies sired by the sun,   Birthed from the oceans’ wombs, Still born givers of life. Thirsty earth quenchers they slake the clay and loam, Feeding tubers,Continue reading “Water Babies”

For Amanda, as she’s fond of a double entendre May 25th Pull up a chair, come sit at my table, This feast is yours, there’s no dystopia. My delights legend, I’m a parable, A fruitilicious cornucopia. See my fingers create a bounty bowl, That grow the leaves for the clothes of Eden. Taste my lusciousContinue reading “Ficus”

High above boiling rivers of tea, That feed the trees who’s gnarled knuckles cling to worn paths. A black dot of a buzzard mews out of a flat slate sky. Voodoo heads of flax wail, While catkin snakes slither through moss beds. Pillows of burgeoning pink blossom prepare to make fruit. Aliens grow spiralling tentaclesContinue reading “A walking spell”

For all my festival family May 22nd How many memories have you blown dry? Hung up, pegged out, airborne remembrance signs, So many billowed sheets, sailing not tied, Standards and pennants, bright flags of all kinds. Washed clean of their woodsmoke perfume bouquets, The tales of long nights, and nights of long tales, The sunscreenContinue reading “Washing to be done”