Jackson

The cafe poets, the pub poets, the kitchen table poets, the poets with pain and the poets without look at me and say Which are you? I say I don’t know. I don’t want to know. Read my poems and define me. I could tell them this: My mother is a seaside artist, a meadow… Read more

Slapped on a bored face knocked from a safe place arrow through heart. Enraptured, suspended captured, upended tangled in art. Caught in a lifetrap hugged in a warm wrap taken aside. Surrounded, accosted grounded, defrosted woken, wide-eyed. Flipped like a new leaf swiped by a smart thief carried away. Unshackled, diverted tackled, converted … And… Read more

Shattering dream of the distant Rising pain of the familiar. You dive in the old sea gladly, expecting the fish to be the same But here are new fish and changed fish and someone’s moved the rocks. You get lost in it but not lost enough Enough of it remains unchanged to send the knives… Read more

I drove to your father’s smoke-stale house Helped you pack your excess baggage Shared a last coffee to delay the inevitable; Mustered your excited children and envious parents Convoyed to the airport. Followed your treasure hunt from check-in to departure tax to refreshment bar (milk for your baby) Sat on stained, burnt airport carpet, awaiting… Read more

Your TV glows. Beautiful colours A kaleidoscope of warmth and feeling. I watch it closely Too closely Mesmerised by happenings on your screen. Your TV beckons Invites participation Begs me to join a circle of linked hands Yours and mine. An inner circle Alight with a vital, thoughtful radiance. Aglow! Behind a clear barrier And… Read more

Climbing walls with me in tow If you fall I won’t let go Walk your tightrope—I will too When you trip I’ll die with you. Read more