Author Archives: grahamswords1962

For the brave Lady Rachel of Robin May 8th What valiant pilgrim would stand at this door, Fearless of the evil lurking inside? Fabled beasts of forest, mountain, and moor? Good men and women have tried, failed, and died. “There in be dragons” whispers the gnarled tree, “And ghostly machines, for to dig ditches, DustContinue reading “John Bunyan’s Shed”

For Brian and Karen, happy foraging. May 7th, Should I equate you with a fairground ride? I find you far more exhilarating! Discovered living among the dead we hide, I took you home to enrich my kitchen. The Hydra’s Ivory stars you display, Amidst your luscious, silken verdant sprays. Drenching Italianate woodland bouquet, Refreshing myContinue reading “Garlic 18”

For Jethro, and his love of all things renewing May 6th Spring’s herald hangs voiceless, faceless, silent. Now the trumpet beckons a new season, Its first flush of life so soon sadly spent, Energies engaged for other reasons. Dried tobacco ponytails tumble out, Like clay-coloured flowing rivers in flood, Elephant hide desiccated by drought, ParchedContinue reading “Wordworth’s Shroud”

For Derek & Elaine May 5th In Winter’s cold lifeless light, you appear. Delicate silent limbed, full of deceit, Unpainted canvas with oils not yet smeared, Pearl snowdrops swaying gently above your feet. Like a temptress in Spring, you taunt and tease, Playing guessing games of “what will I wear?” With dried aubergine squid youContinue reading “Myopsida Palmatum Atropurpureum”

For Gladys and all the Facebook refugees My second garden sonnet in May is about that little grey visitor that just seems to be Marmite for so many. May 4th Come on in you maker of mischief you, Your audience forestalls performance. In the wings of shrubs, you await your cue, To swish dandy tailContinue reading “The entertainer”

There’s no fruit to be picked in springtime, Winter has bleached the tree bones dry, starved scarecrows against the sky. There’s no fruit to be picked in springtime, First the leaves and blossoming flowers, then bees and sweet April showers. There’s no fruit to be picked in springtime, Then golden rays begin to nurse, platesContinue reading “Tender Fruit”

For Julie, Naomi, Darren and Ollie I’m a bit late in starting this idea, but I’m going to aim to write a sonnet a day for the month of May about things I see in my garden. Clearly it is the most appropriate month in which to do that, so here goes with the firstContinue reading “No ugly duckling”

For Dee, my constant rockpool Placid cool lagoon of safety A world all its own, enclosed, undisturbed. A plate glass surface beneath which the most fragile swim, It’s stony outcrop encircling arms, barring wind and tide. Outside the ocean roars and rages, the sun blisters, In the rockpool, nothing stirs, nothing matters, nothing changes. PleaseContinue reading “Rockpool”

For Linda May 1st Cast off the bitter shroud of winter’s sheath, And look east toward the rising glow, So bright and early the sun does show, Spring welcomes summer’s tomorrow. Please do leave me your thoughts and comments, in praise or constructive criticism, I appreciate them all and will reply.