In preparation

In preparation           for life’s many little pageants We brush out our hair, cut the dry, split ends, straighten out the frizz. We lather up our legs and smooth out the bristle. We take concealer to those rings beneath our tired eyes and layer over the unhappy spots. We tint tiny

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.

Diversions for Gentlemen of our Modern Age

Buzz. Ping. Hit. Aaah! ‘Phone Coffee Cigarettes Skin High Dependency Units — Another quick read poem/ non-poem, which uses a list format. See, gentlemen, poetry isn’t such an effort to read. And there’s so much more left of your day to do other things such as check your ‘phone, drink coffee, smoke and check some skin. — (The

The Brothers Three

Younger is a funny, joy-filled beast whose appetite seeks charms and luscious treats, yet he knows there is wide, wide world. So, off he bleets once supped and full. The older – add scores two, a half, minus ten – knows this landscape of plenty shifts by hurt and over time lithe limb and limber

Afloat

Onto my raft of plaits I shall step, with dreams of Alsation-men. — This short poem dates from the last quarter of 2013 when I did indeed have a dream about a raft of plaits and Alsation-men. Perhaps it was a subconscious mash-up of my plaited rag rug  (A craft project that’s still incomplete!) and

Huckleberry Thing

Warning! Deep Water Green weed coats the pond. Catkins tiptoe past the curtain leaves here in the conservation area near the tennis courts. “Should you see anything particularly exciting please tell us about it.,“ requests the London Borough of Camden, Nature Conservation Section. “Well, I didn’t notice much except,” he turns, “You, delightful  thing.” (he