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.

I do. Do you?

Remember how your grandfather stumbled and then fell into the garden pond. You wore a suit, freshly pressed – a strange look from your usual garb of sweat and day creased shirts. I in a satin dress of peacock colours, never wanted to be conventional, but my bouquet was of white arums from the garden.