On a fine
December day, when the sun does shine,
I breathe in the smell
Of old books, and hope all may be well.
Dust causes me to cough.
One may scoff
At the idea
Yet I fancy, death brings up the rear.
My wardrobe door creaks at a late hour.
Reason’s power
Has gone astray
And I pray
That despair
Remains in his lair.
Many thanks to Neall of Vancouver Co-op Radio for reading my poem, “My Old Clock I wind” and Ariadne for facilitating this. The poem is below:
“My old clock I wind
And much philosophy therein find.
I can bring
The pendulum’s swing
To a stop With my hand,
Yet I can not command
Time to default
On his duty and halt
The passing of the years.
He has no ears
For our laughter and tears
And his sickle will swing on
Long after we are gone”.
The show was broadcast at 13:00 on Thursday 8 December and can be found
My poem is read approximately 45 minutes into the programme.
I will be interviewed on Vancouver Co-op Radio on 12 January 2017.
Kevin
An interesting response to a reader’s question, by Jo Malone of The Standard. I note however that Jo fails to mention the option of self-publishing in her response, http://www.standard.co.uk/business/ask-jo-malone-how-can-my-poetry-translate-into-a-wedding-gift-people-will-buy-a3412361.html.
There was a young lady called Nell
Who lived in a wishing well.
It was dark and cold
And I am told
That she had nowhere else to dwell!
A beautiful bird came to a river most still.
She dipped her bill
And a mighty torrent took river and bird
To a place
Beyond any word
From a poet heard,
Where lovers embrace.
There was a young vampire called Dracula
Who’s knowledge of languages was spectacular.
In general, vampires communicate very well,
Although I have heard tell
That they sometimes employ the vernacular!
I was delighted to learn that Ariadne, from Vancouver Co-op Radio (http://www.coopradio.org/content/world-poetry-cafe-2), has kindly agreed to read one of my poems, during her programme, which airs between 1-2 pm on Thursday 8 December. Ariadne presents the World Poetry Reading Series (http://worldpoetry.ca/), a regular feature on Vancouver Co-op Radio. I am grateful to Ariadne and Vancouver Co-op Radio for this opportunity.
I will, at a later date be interviewed by Ariadne on her programme. Once details are known I will post them here.
Kevin
On such a day, when the winter sun
Casts my shadow upon yonder wall,
It is difficult to recall
That all
This will, one day be done.
In future will some other one, sitting here, and seeing their shadow fall
Upon this self-same wall,
Know that they may not forestall
The night
When dancing shadows are, forever lost from sight.
—
(Written on 3 December 2016, while sitting in my study).
Thought
Caught
In the flames of this fire,
Fanning my desire
For a past when the publican laid logs
In fireplaces
And drinker’s faces
Gathered around the blaze as their dogs
Lazed beside the eternal flame.
It is not the same
Since the pub changed hands. The beer
Remains unchanged, yet I fear
The flame does not burn as bright
Of a winter’s night
And the grate is too often cold.
The death of the year
Is near.
The last day of November
Is icey cold,
I wonder, what will December
Hold?
This freezing wind
Does rescind
Summer’s delights
As winter Makes toys
Of all our joys
K Morris - Poet 