Two poems from the light user scheme
the vague notion of authorship
Japanese scientists have recently confirmed my appearance, they say
that the papaya is not a cousin of passion fruit, but of the cauliflower,
that a cow is more akin to whales than camels.
As a foundling, I can now choose my inheritance—the Great Dane
and chihuahua share the same ancestor.
Roses are not like saxifrages, but buckthorns and nettles.
a klaxon
The train leaves Blackheath, lurches under wet branches, round dead litter,
bare walls. People drift on and off at stations.
Just outside London Bridge, a jet crosses the sun, and,
for an instant, I’m sure I imagine it.
But last night, I am certain of it,
I woke and saw you staring at me, like a searchlight
that finds the wrecked plane, then moves on.
Richard Skinner has published three novels, all with Faber & Faber. His poetry collection, the light user scheme, is published by Smokestack.
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