POEMS

Oh Willow, How I Miss You So

The sounds of laughter echo in my mind.
A band of boys with bright and joyous smiles
Under the old willow all intertwined.
In its roots we buried our dreadful trials.

Days spent with Curt and James and Kenneth K,
We would giggle and play and cry and sing.
The willow absorbed all we had to say
With bark so soft it soothed every bee sting.

Days when rain lashed us or the sun seared us,
But like soldiers in a trench, we held tight.
Unarmed and shielded by each supple truss.
The willow fought wars, ones we could not fight.

The willow was felled before our lit eyes,
Its burning stump erupting with past pain.
Nothing hung over us but parlous skies.
These unearthed pangs still fester in my brain.

life at sea

lone boat in a bay
oars glide through the glassy sea
moonlight slowly slain
fires ashore whirl in my eyes
my home burns around my son

alone in a boat
bow adorned with glaring gold
gems and bare benches
others’ heirlooms lie with me
hollow jewellery and no son

an orange collage
black blots writhe and rest in sand
my life lived at sea
on through the bay’s yawning mouth
waves ebb ash from my slain son