Advice for Love Chess

When I first posted this poem, it elicited some strong responses. “Blatant manipulation. Far better to say what you mean.” Ah! Love chess. — This poem, along with 24 others about life, love and the modern boy, are collected in my book Emily’s Poem for Modern Boys.

Every Sign of the Zodiac

The radio station holds a ‘phone-in about How to Seduce Every Sign of the Zodiac. Every star-sign, says the guest expert, has a romance silhouette. Taurus to Scorpio sound good. Pass on the Virgos and Cancerians. 22/12/13 — Anything to do with signs and symbolism pulls at my imagination. Just today I was thinking about

Just Punishment

Little Knowing, a lonely desert bird, was small and light of wing. Along the road he saw a woman. She smelled of cinnamon. “My bed,” she said, “smells of more – of myrrh and desert aloes. It is richly covered, soft – and ours – in colourful Egyptian linen.” Little knowing saw the tent to

I told her

I told her       Because modern boys ought to know the advice given   Hold out until Tuesday. You know you can. No public communication whatsoever. If necessary write it out. But do not send. (Especially, do not press send.) Sit on your hands, girl because you are waiting for move 5 in love chess.