Gravity by Alan Buckley The aerialist swings up and out, beyond the proscenium arch. She reaches the dead point of pure weightlessness, hair rippling outwards, lets go of the corde volante. We catch our breath: for a heartbeat body and rope are floating apart, electric air between them. Later, she’ll smile – Whatever you … Continue reading ‘Gravity’ by Alan Buckley
Category: Poetry
A poem by Janet Rogerson
Below See-Level There is a boy and if you were to look closely, his face would change you. He is so impossibly beautiful, you might even fall in love with him, but he sits below see-level. In the hierarchy of the streets he is on the bottom rung, he sits cross-legged. His corner is … Continue reading A poem by Janet Rogerson
‘Dying Arts’ by Roy Marshall
Dying Arts As the last window cleaner born during the age of whistling stashes his bucket and flannel and millions of ear plugs play into millions of closed circuit skulls it seems the art is only practised now by dry lipped ex-paperboys in retirement homes as they pour a morning brew becoming as rare as … Continue reading ‘Dying Arts’ by Roy Marshall
‘Window, Honley’ by Niall Campbell
Window, Honley by Niall Campbell The village bell’s been broken for a month, sounding a flat, wrecked chime to the main hour; the clapper between its iron walls sung out, so I’ll ask what time matters anyway: just light, less light, and dark; the going off of milk or love; our tides claimed back: … Continue reading ‘Window, Honley’ by Niall Campbell
‘The Aran’ by Anna Wigley
The Aran This woman's hands recall her grandmother's: a pair of billing doves, crouched close in her lap, weaving wool in their beaks. The threads are thick as twine and oiled good as a seagull's weatherproof. On rainy coastal walks they will hold out. Under her darting fingers the twisting ribs cable down … Continue reading ‘The Aran’ by Anna Wigley
‘Rendezvous’ by Carole Bromley
Rendezvous after Dennis O’Driscoll I am in Stonegate expecting to meet you at 4 You are in The Shambles expecting to meet me at 4 I have shopping bags that lengthen my arms you have Jonathan on your shoulders It’s Christmas and I’m Dreaming blasts out from Ye Olde Starre Inn In Giovanni’s doorway … Continue reading ‘Rendezvous’ by Carole Bromley
‘Before Epiphany, 1946’ by Nikki Magennis
Before Epiphany, 1946 When the war was a ragged tail and we were lost far to the north in the open prison of midwinter the laird showed his kindness and invited us to dinner at the castle. We dressed like actors in borrowed shirts and coal-black coats that did not keep out the cold … Continue reading ‘Before Epiphany, 1946’ by Nikki Magennis
‘Helen, Setting Matters Straight’ by Madeline Parsons
Helen, Setting Matters Straight There wasn’t a woman in town didn’t think I was the devil incarnate the way I walked out on my three children – just ran into the kitchen one day, set down the messages, threw myself into the car and hightailed it to the hills. He was waiting for me … Continue reading ‘Helen, Setting Matters Straight’ by Madeline Parsons
A poem by Nichola Deane
Towards Suaineabhal This is taking place in the presence of a mountain, before the sheep-cropped dungy grass between exposed ridges that makes the rock look threadbare, the mountain bony, a mendicant in rags. Follow my finger up to the resting places of the mountain, the deep grooves still glacial, still missing their smock of … Continue reading A poem by Nichola Deane
A poem by Breda Wall Ryan
Hope is the Deadliest Sin Captured in profile, the bird-woman’s one startled avian eye glares at the painter of masks who contorts her, feathers her throat, bulges her crop. Sated with grapes, she is caught in the act of plucking a plum from the folds of her shot-silk lap, head tilted back for a … Continue reading A poem by Breda Wall Ryan
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