Come softly
Come softly, do not cry or make a sound,
Do not stumble, keep your gait just so.
Use soft footsteps, we walk on hallowed ground –
It’s here you’ll find the answers you should know.
Don’t stumble! Keep your gait just so.
We walk these trails forged by pale ghosts
It’s here you’ll find the answers you should know,
It’s here you’ll meet with those who hold you close.
We walk these trails forged by pale ghosts
Of History, of generations passed.
It’s here you’ll meet with those who hold you close
Although the ground’s abandoned now, and grassed.
Of history, of generations passed
You’ll learn the private lore of kith and kin.
Although the ground’s abandoned now, and grassed,
I promise there are secrets held within.
You’ll learn the private lore of kith and kin –
Use soft footsteps: we walk on hallowed ground –
I promise there are secrets held within;
Come softly. Do not cry or make a sound.
Someone’s Mother
When I am someone’s mother
let them know
that I swore at a Policeman, once.
Spent my last pound fifty on undercooked chips
and walked three miles home
half-cut at four am.
Changed into slivers of nylon in empty car parks
and disrespected my parents.
let them know
that I embedded stainless steel jewellery in my face.
Drank pints, warm and weak, in seedy pubs
in the red light district
or at warehouse parties.
Had another eighteenth birthday every month
and stole traffic cones.
When I am someone’s mother let them know
that once I was arrested.
When I am someone’s mother
let them know
that I smoked furtive cigarettes from open windows
knocked off from lessons to sit in cars
with stereos and boys
who were only after one thing.
Argued with strangers on buses
and cut my own hair.
Let them know
that I made an exhibition of myself.
Stayed in muddy tents at summer festivals
Jumped my bus fare into town
and caused affray.
Survived on Pro-plus and sausage rolls instead of sleep
and lied to my teachers.
When I am someone’s mother
let them know
that before warm winter mittens and school fetes,
Before booster shots and sharp corners
and remembering to send the milk money
before Peppa Pig and the weekly shop
and wrists dribbling with warm milk
I was not dull.
Incidentally
From where we rested
we could hear the sea.
Salt-fresh, the breeze
seduces us with
whispered words.
Above the moon is fat.
A lighthouse shines
in 4/4 time, marking
danger, caressing
sullen grey rocks.
Over the black ocean night birds sing.
And you, in the red hot
poker garden, curling
blue trills of smoke
through the stillness
And I wanted to tell you
I love you
But I didn’t.
Charmer
His shrugging air tells much more than it aught,
A redness at his cheek betrays his sin;
For every single question a retort:
He’s halted, but he is adamant he’ll win.
He tells false stories but tells them pretty,
A gift of vintage wine, a first-class jewel,
He’s elegant, verbose, and awful witty
And we both know he’s going to win this duel.
The problem is it’s all just so disarming,
Regardless of how vigilant one is
When he’s in the right mood to be charming
There’s one way this will go, and that is his.
So, no justice served for either fighter,
The winner’s the more eloquent, the brighter.
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