Somebody, move

She’s dancing

Whittled toes tipped, scratching dirt

and earth and dust and grit

Teeth together

Smiling? Providing closure for a tongue

too twisted, tight lipped.

Bend over. Shoulder cold and bare like the rest

She never rests.

Twirling, hurly burly

Concave legs.

Play the music, she says; the one that goes like this –

And she bursts like the heavens.

Open gates. He knows it, for sure

the music he makes

Non Committal

Do you want me?

As much as ever.

How much is ever?

I’ve no idea.

Vino

Incapacitated

waiting, wondering what colours you’ll paint next

They say drunk is a truth sayer, do they?

A serum, potion, say what you will

Drink me down and tell me your woes in wildness – what it’s like to be an artist

I see it with eyes wide open

At best when I am blind, myself

See you, in lyrical vividity

and wonder if it reflects back

Ripples in a pool

Or a mirror on the shelf

The cat’s cradle.

Life was days and then there was you.

I forgave that summer you spent
running round, unweaving the fine threads that I had bound from the past

You worked. And worked tirelessly, despite my nonchalance

my brashness and boldness

my deep, internal rage that could wash away positivity like castles in sand.

You spun me out

Laid me out on your freshly cleaned carpet and watched me twist and turn in utter turmoil

I was naked, untangled

with an apple in my eye.

And as I grew accustomed to my new existence with unflinching loyalty, I witnessed fade

gently

slowly

The glow of sun, sinking into the horizon

Going down

Until it was gone.

Devil’s hour

Heart beats and heavy breathing set the scene.

Eyes open, spasm

Scream.

I fucking hate myself.

Ruins.

They lie dormant

in the hollows of this dusty soul.

Quiet

yet committed to vengeance upon the sun’s leave.

Serpent tongues hiss

Eyes sleep

and creatures

wake.

Valentine’s

Hallmark has me stuck

The fizz of us bubbling

on folded paper.

The key

This old town, the shoes upon my feet

This food, these clothes, this seat

The blood in my veins

and the air I breathe

All

Absolutely minor

when you’re not in reach.

The Essence.

The world has lights that make
you want to breathe in
and clean up your dusty soul

Blinding.

Finding constellations, learning
ways to read them, resisting temptations to burn them in a heap
on the front lawn

like so very, many times before.

Now you’re feeding your heart a three course dinner
Winning – you’re a winner and smiling proper, too

Unusual for you but I think I like it

Bottle some up for me.

Untitled

I see hope is radiating 

from your strong, highlighted cheekbones

Mirroring your fears like souvenirs

and all the strength that you broke

When you started mending nicely

And folk said you looked gamely, save the eyes 

That seep your secrets

What to’morra brings 

I’ll let you know a secret 

Wrap it up and keep it

It still bleeds deep within

You’ve got that look that could still a thousand heartbeats 

But you hear a banging in your ear

Losing more, without me

Don’t you see?

I’m your plastic millionaire