2017

Some small secret

Bleach and black water patch the hillside – burnt heather beside the path, which winds aimlessly away from the soldiers’ bridge beneath which we sheltered There are no fences here: the real country keeps hold, hiding its destinations In a…

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Rievaulx Abbey

Yes, there is chanting here behind the howl of the occasional jet and the child crying in the café The cowled monks of Rievaulx dance lightly between the stones, making music as the rain stutters and dies You touch them,…

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False Bay

Water kills by volume filling space, forcing out air, extinguishing breath but also by weight and as I sit alone for a snatched moment on beige bleached rocks strung out like forgotten connections and watch the False Bay breakers heave…

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Gethsemane

Below the hill where garden olives blossom in the heat and sleep comes easily to some pain slides like sour oil around the rocks kissing the soul colouring the night In the distance soldiers look for signs on unfamiliar paths…

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Easter Sky

Is this a crucifixion or a resurrection sky? Is it the sky he was pinned to like a butterfly skin running with blood clouds stained sunset-red? Or is it the ash-black, volcano-scarred sky that lets no life through? Darkness at…

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Baptised in the book

You sit in the light: a breeze from the window touches your hair, your face in shadow You turn a page: the tilt of your head changes – you are almost smiling You raise your fingers to your lips: they…

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Grinlow Hill

Footprints in the snow give us away as we climb through the overarching woods and up to the temple with ice on its steps Like echoes, light rays bounce off thin surfaces, the scarred and sacred skin above the caverns…

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