Author Archives: grahamswords1962

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”

For Ollie, a man that knows the value of good tools May 21st Stood to attention by the privet hedge, Upright and strong, stately patient and calm, The Grenadier Guard of the garden shed, Silently you await the call to arms. Attired in shades of greys and ochered steel, Muted uniform becomes camouflage. And yetContinue reading “Good old tines”

May 20th Avian Hyena, piebald pirate, Monochrome trickster, dressed in lustrous lies. What evil did you, to deserve such hate? Even child killers are not so despised. In finest tuxedo you proudly strut, Skipping not hopping, stealing not shopping. Flamboyant tail trails, yours not Covid cut, Dashing dandy, bursting with swaggering A quiet assassin, youContinue reading “Pica Pica”

For Katie, and her flowers May 19th Sweet nectar collecting space invader, Barred beauty on whom all mankind depends. Onomatopoeic kazoo player, Seen zooming and buzzing in my garden. Manic squadrons perform daily duties, Nature’s perfect design, man says shouldn’t work. Baskets and bellies laden with booty, From your Royal calling, you never shirk. FromContinue reading “Bee Queen”

For my friend and comrade Gary May 18th O, poor snubbed soul, will no one hear your chimes? Is your cachet so invisible now? Why does blind ignorance fill blinkered times? Are you the sacrifice; unholy cow? Did you not nail our colours to the mast? And vow yourself to be selfless and true? HowContinue reading “Nigel”

For my fellow story teller and daisy lover, Maria May 17th A flotilla sits anchored at sea, A chain-link of unfurled white finger sails. Bobbing gently on a brine of wax green, Golden pillowed life rafts with pearlesque rails. They demand only deserved attention, Serene these vessels with cargoes of hope. Beauty in simplicity, doContinue reading “Daisy chains at sea”

For Michael, and me May 16th Tick, tock, tick, tock, delicate hands of time, Silk shuttlecocks carry fine memories, Of forever days, carefree ways gone by, Slipped between clasped fingers like sand-soaked sea. Cupid’s mercurial ballerinas He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me. Blown on the wind, innocent, no danger, Floating o’erContinue reading “Clocks”

For Jen, who needs only one faith May 15th Ancient, unchanging, benevolent face, How mournful behind it your soul must be. Ahimsa faith lost on a “master race”, Nirvana unreached by humanity Celebrated image, icon of peace, Now faded, jaded, like Lindisfarne walls. We reject dukkha – you promise release, But higher disciples rejected yourContinue reading “Faded Icons”

For my dear friend Geoff May 14th The house expands, cracking stiff mortar limbs, Kettle rumbles against a sulking sky. Blackbird and Robin harmonise their hymns, As Sparrow chirps interject keeping time. A baritone dog barks, when car engine stirs, Boilers play steaming trumpet fanfare blasts. Blue Tits, in stuttering staccato chirrs, Duet with tapContinue reading “Matins”