Tag Archives: advice

A bicycle made for two (or, The Pitch)

While it’s going for a song, let’s play this dalliance. It’ll knock wind from our sails. That’s the hazard of entanglements. — Over the weekend I watched a movie about a song-writer. Many of the songs featured dreadful clichés. This prompted some fiddling of my own with clichés. The poem’s title is thanks to anContinue reading “A bicycle made for two (or, The Pitch)”

Restore order, with its low rumble

Today I present two poems from the archive – Now here is something to marvel at… (posted in 2012) and Is it worth it? (posted in 2013) Both poems tackle the theme of worldly aspirations and success. In “Now here…” the concerns of juggling a shoestring budget are interrupted by observations of life’s ordinary marvelsContinue reading “Restore order, with its low rumble”

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 aboutContinue reading “Every Sign of the Zodiac”

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 toContinue reading “Just Punishment”

Preceding seafaring that was not to transpire

She takes to heart her ship That is upon their advice.   Before her and harbour, In good forecast she sets Friendship to the friend As the anchor of relationships.   Later she squints through time’s telescope: Fearful sad that lens. It magnifies other ways winds blow. — Visit my first volume here for aContinue reading “Preceding seafaring that was not to transpire”