Pantoum: At Kindergarten in Lviv

'Shelter' sign at Lviv kindergarten

At Kindergarten in Lviv The sirens sound, the children risePut on their coats and follow teacherAway from danger from the skiesAir raids are a schoolday feature Put on their coats and follow teacherToddle through the honeycombAir raids are a schoolday … Read more

Pantoum: Sight Lost, Depth Regained

woman-in-black-t-shirt-with-one-eye-clipart-md

From very slightly different points of view To lose an eye has given me perspective It isn’t quite as good as having two But one eye is surprisingly effective To lose an eye has given me perspective At first it … Read more

Your Place

joebalcony

Last year, I wrote a poem (a pantoum) called ‘This Place’ about visiting my son in the adolescent psychiatric unit where he spent four months (read it here). He now has his own flat, living independently with support. So I … Read more

Lighting, Rigged

Lighting rig

Thirty-five years ago, I was sexually assaulted at a gig. I never told anyone. But over the last few years, some stuff has prompted me to finally address it – by writing this poem. Standing by the ticket table, flogging … Read more

This Place

I come to see you in this place A train, a bus, a longish walk A mask of growth veneers your face We picnic, catch up, laugh and talk A train, a bus, a longish walk They brought you here … Read more

Planet Pantoum

2048px-Extinction_Rebellion-12

Bring the cities to a standstill We have to save the planet Put apathy in landfill Take fracking back and ban it We have to save the planet Speak urgently and clear Take fracking back and ban it Disarm the … Read more