Wayfarer

Wayfarerat the Corner House, PlaydenI have trudged my way into a city of stars,and thought I would rest there and set down my load –and still walked on, till the last star had gone.But I have stopped and stayed at a star of the...

abba

abba1He was broken open to life, a tin of richesrusted at the lid, its jagged edge torn, bleedingwhere the hand of the world had touched it. So he did wronghe thought, so he did wronghe knew. So he knew wrong.Suddenly an old tin’s contents are let go hang –off-seal...

At Rimbik

At Rimbik Today I shall create, out of the hills,a narrative. Four voices tell a taleof the four elements, that here are freshas new. And if at all it should offendthat women’s speech, on the great bridge of Timethat women cross, be uttered by a manwithin the drama of...

60

60In Steeple Field the snow.All the village is here with scarves and sledges.An elemental glowcatches a flame of people. Still it ragesas I look round. It is my turn. Dare I go?Into a bonfire of all the agesI sail, kneeling, arms folded. Up one of the ridgesI slow to...

Colleague

Colleague Here is a thankyou. May it still be said? – I cannot say, I thank you anyhow, and with a whole heart now that you are dead. My dear man, I thank your absence now. Here is a thankyou. Will it still be heard? – My lovely man, you hear it in my mind, you who...

Memory-Offering

Memory-Offering for Jibanananda Das I can only offer you what I have offered to none, a time or two stayingsudden and subtle and strong and far-off and lost and quickin the deep of the mind – snow cold like a star on the tongue and light and thickand intricate to a...