Graham Sherwood
Noeleve
On this night, old snow lies thick,
hardened into rigid smudged creases.
In every house where children sleep,
a deafening silence of anticipatory slumber.
At Mass the devout smile cynically
at the unusually full congregation.
Homeless bodies defiantly condescend
to seek warmer shelter and a festive meal.
And with the glue, still damp on “sale” signs,
the magic evaporates....
hardened into rigid smudged creases.
In every house where children sleep,
a deafening silence of anticipatory slumber.
At Mass the devout smile cynically
at the unusually full congregation.
Homeless bodies defiantly condescend
to seek warmer shelter and a festive meal.
And with the glue, still damp on “sale” signs,
the magic evaporates....
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Monday 27th December 2010 1:04 pm
Dream Tiger
Last night I dreamt of tigers
in the fractious dozing hours,
they were my guardian felines
curled tightly at my feet.
Last night I dreamt of tigers
those fearsome striped cats
in the fractious dozing hours,
through the safari of my sleep
they were my guardian felines
staying close to ward off harm
curled tightly at my feet
so great to keep them warm
Last night I dreamt of tigers
t...
in the fractious dozing hours,
they were my guardian felines
curled tightly at my feet.
Last night I dreamt of tigers
those fearsome striped cats
in the fractious dozing hours,
through the safari of my sleep
they were my guardian felines
staying close to ward off harm
curled tightly at my feet
so great to keep them warm
Last night I dreamt of tigers
t...
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Saturday 20th November 2010 12:19 am
Pals
Those muddy boys,
pressed as moulds
into the grey-blue stench,
quiet now.
The terrifying cacophony
still rages through their skies,
though silently.
Their chilling lifeless eyes,
stare a fruitless search,
for England, mother, home.
© Graham Sherwood 11/2010...
pressed as moulds
into the grey-blue stench,
quiet now.
The terrifying cacophony
still rages through their skies,
though silently.
Their chilling lifeless eyes,
stare a fruitless search,
for England, mother, home.
© Graham Sherwood 11/2010...
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Friday 12th November 2010 1:16 am
All Hallows Eve
Glum, doleful moon, alone,
our only witness to such dreadful tragedy,
spies on deadly Scorpius,
chaperone to the winter’s chilling breath,
who, dragging slain Orion’s bloody cloak,
sweeps the crackling bronze crisped leaves,
like autumn’s janitor.
On this night all souls are blessed.
This bloody month, this killing time,
O mischievous night, a fragile armistice
befalls...
our only witness to such dreadful tragedy,
spies on deadly Scorpius,
chaperone to the winter’s chilling breath,
who, dragging slain Orion’s bloody cloak,
sweeps the crackling bronze crisped leaves,
like autumn’s janitor.
On this night all souls are blessed.
This bloody month, this killing time,
O mischievous night, a fragile armistice
befalls...
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Monday 1st November 2010 7:44 pm
Come Ghosts
Thus they loom toward my mortal precipice,
arranged around my bedside, the spectres of a life,
whose auras fade or flare as with my faltering mentality
as I consider the who, the where, the what
and how they made me smile or cry or frown or not.
Some are angels, perfect beauteous girls, nubile in youth
that flit amongst my other ghosts as if to tease.
Whilst others beneath a darker hue of...
arranged around my bedside, the spectres of a life,
whose auras fade or flare as with my faltering mentality
as I consider the who, the where, the what
and how they made me smile or cry or frown or not.
Some are angels, perfect beauteous girls, nubile in youth
that flit amongst my other ghosts as if to tease.
Whilst others beneath a darker hue of...
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Sunday 17th October 2010 10:54 pm
Loss
We have modernised.
Gone, dining table and faded velour chairs.
We turn away hesitantly, guiltily from the porch
so as not to watch
the battered rusty recycling van,
eagerly carry away our beloved.
The bearer of our family’s growth
our happiness, our joy and tears,
those thirty-five Christmas meals
two special weddings
one hideous wake.
Untouched, the gouged evidence of Rosie&rsqu...
Gone, dining table and faded velour chairs.
We turn away hesitantly, guiltily from the porch
so as not to watch
the battered rusty recycling van,
eagerly carry away our beloved.
The bearer of our family’s growth
our happiness, our joy and tears,
those thirty-five Christmas meals
two special weddings
one hideous wake.
Untouched, the gouged evidence of Rosie&rsqu...
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Tuesday 5th October 2010 6:44 pm
Octen
A grey dust bloom smears plump blue sloes,
fat rabbits and badgers sniff the damp and turn to go,
as nature’s balance rounds the leaves to russet gold,
so swallows, swifts and starlings gather to their fold.
Small children run and tease folk with flickering punky flames,
now harvest’s in there’s time for apple-bobbing games,
the new wine, warm, tumultuous gurgles in the c...
fat rabbits and badgers sniff the damp and turn to go,
as nature’s balance rounds the leaves to russet gold,
so swallows, swifts and starlings gather to their fold.
Small children run and tease folk with flickering punky flames,
now harvest’s in there’s time for apple-bobbing games,
the new wine, warm, tumultuous gurgles in the c...
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Friday 1st October 2010 8:45 pm
Bitten
How hard can this be?
I am chewing the inside of my cheek,
without knowingly doing so.
An irascible frown sits disconcertingly on my brow.
Eyes close in slow motion, but tightly nonetheless.
Legs are leaden, fingers tropical, throat parched, arse damp.
Time’s up, the moment has arrived, no second chances.
It has to be done,
Now....
I am chewing the inside of my cheek,
without knowingly doing so.
An irascible frown sits disconcertingly on my brow.
Eyes close in slow motion, but tightly nonetheless.
Legs are leaden, fingers tropical, throat parched, arse damp.
Time’s up, the moment has arrived, no second chances.
It has to be done,
Now....
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Tuesday 28th September 2010 7:50 pm
Tags: Bite the bullet
Brainkisses
A sweet young child has taught me how,
to store kisses in my brain.
It seems, he collects his from his mum,
until she needs them back again.
On hearing this, a thought occurred,
of opportunities much-missed.
If I’d had half his common sense,
more lips I would have kissed.
© Graham Sherwood 9/2010...
to store kisses in my brain.
It seems, he collects his from his mum,
until she needs them back again.
On hearing this, a thought occurred,
of opportunities much-missed.
If I’d had half his common sense,
more lips I would have kissed.
© Graham Sherwood 9/2010...
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Wednesday 22nd September 2010 3:59 pm
September
The harvest barley now stands in crooked stooks,
impatient, Vulcan waits and stokes his fiery forge.
Hark, Goosefair time approaches fast,
excited children pick the conker and the blackberry.
Under heavy sapphire skies young schoolgirls dance,
corn dollies jiggling from their belts.
As asters bloom, seven becomes nine,
and without a nod the stubble burns.
© Graham Sherwood...
impatient, Vulcan waits and stokes his fiery forge.
Hark, Goosefair time approaches fast,
excited children pick the conker and the blackberry.
Under heavy sapphire skies young schoolgirls dance,
corn dollies jiggling from their belts.
As asters bloom, seven becomes nine,
and without a nod the stubble burns.
© Graham Sherwood...
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Sunday 12th September 2010 8:11 pm
Starlet
I will remember that I met you
and that you made me special tea,
the badly washed-up mug unnoticed.
You were wearing thin pyjamas,
and eating pancakes with a fork
when I arrived, stopping in my tracks.
From the tiny balcony
we smiled across the dowdy roofscape
toward the lights and music that beguile you.
Such fragile open beauty
an innocent beacon facing west,
in search of your t...
and that you made me special tea,
the badly washed-up mug unnoticed.
You were wearing thin pyjamas,
and eating pancakes with a fork
when I arrived, stopping in my tracks.
From the tiny balcony
we smiled across the dowdy roofscape
toward the lights and music that beguile you.
Such fragile open beauty
an innocent beacon facing west,
in search of your t...
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Wednesday 1st September 2010 9:57 am
Succubus
(Inspired by Incubus by Ann Foxglove)
With eyelids closed, I notice briefly,
for hardly one second,
the slender-limbed diaphanous wraith
that stands watch, from the open window.
My dumbfound hypnosis, lifeless,
her touch becomes a peach bloom cheek
upon my thigh,
tumultuous tresses around my sex.
Saffron mists swirl like a crown,
she is at once astride and I am drawn up
as if a well,...
With eyelids closed, I notice briefly,
for hardly one second,
the slender-limbed diaphanous wraith
that stands watch, from the open window.
My dumbfound hypnosis, lifeless,
her touch becomes a peach bloom cheek
upon my thigh,
tumultuous tresses around my sex.
Saffron mists swirl like a crown,
she is at once astride and I am drawn up
as if a well,...
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Saturday 7th August 2010 11:40 pm
Melancholium
A creased and discarded tarot card,
the litter swirling through the museum of a life,
of unfulfilled hopes, failed wishes and whimsy dreams,
lain heavy, sodden, undisturbed as silt in the depths of memory,
await the callous prod of apathy’s endless benign ache
that, like the phantom of matters past,
serves to churn old thoughts and memories.
The hazy characters, some on brittle plinth...
the litter swirling through the museum of a life,
of unfulfilled hopes, failed wishes and whimsy dreams,
lain heavy, sodden, undisturbed as silt in the depths of memory,
await the callous prod of apathy’s endless benign ache
that, like the phantom of matters past,
serves to churn old thoughts and memories.
The hazy characters, some on brittle plinth...
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Saturday 17th July 2010 5:53 pm
Cotswold Tale
And I came upon Arcadia, the
burnished mellow honeyed stones,
along the fosse meridian,
where sleepy chippings bid me rest,
amongst the woollen churches shade,
to nibble scones with China tea
and marvel at the charming wolds,
where now, the fleeces wear pink rinses
and bleat in sundry foreign drawl.
© Graham Sherwood 7/2010...
burnished mellow honeyed stones,
along the fosse meridian,
where sleepy chippings bid me rest,
amongst the woollen churches shade,
to nibble scones with China tea
and marvel at the charming wolds,
where now, the fleeces wear pink rinses
and bleat in sundry foreign drawl.
© Graham Sherwood 7/2010...
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Tuesday 6th July 2010 12:51 am
Memories
Creeping like a rumour
from cold room and colder still,
no need to keep the lifeless silence
that hangs, as if some assassin’s chord
has deftly strangled last year’s
incarcerated air.
The comfortable dust is wary too
lest I might break its reverie,
but no, I float through space
with vaporous eyes as empty as
the cupboard drawers.
Am I the first to return here?
As if to ste...
from cold room and colder still,
no need to keep the lifeless silence
that hangs, as if some assassin’s chord
has deftly strangled last year’s
incarcerated air.
The comfortable dust is wary too
lest I might break its reverie,
but no, I float through space
with vaporous eyes as empty as
the cupboard drawers.
Am I the first to return here?
As if to ste...
Read more and leave comments (1)
Sunday 20th June 2010 9:52 pm
Pandora's Box
Disease Hatred Cowardice Intolerance Anger
Idolatry Deprivation Rape Bigotry Deceit Abu
se Hunger Pride Shame Disregard Murder Am
bivalence Conceit Oppression Terrorism Pain
Sedition Lust Poverty Racism Thirst Deceit Pe
rversity Avarice Panic Theft Sarcasm Loathing
Torture Disregard War Arson Starvation Gree
d Assault Pomposity Fear Extortion Disrespect...
Idolatry Deprivation Rape Bigotry Deceit Abu
se Hunger Pride Shame Disregard Murder Am
bivalence Conceit Oppression Terrorism Pain
Sedition Lust Poverty Racism Thirst Deceit Pe
rversity Avarice Panic Theft Sarcasm Loathing
Torture Disregard War Arson Starvation Gree
d Assault Pomposity Fear Extortion Disrespect...
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Wednesday 19th May 2010 11:57 pm
Green Park Eleven
The crocus have fled and the daffodils gone,
bereft, just the dandelion gold lingers on,
a tame squirrel tugs at the creased trouser legs
of beautiful girls strewn like discarded pegs,
on tattersall rugs on the damp summer turf
their bleached Sunday newspapers billow like surf
bringing whispered languages foreign to me
from passionate lovers beneath every tree
this afternoon stroll a surre...
bereft, just the dandelion gold lingers on,
a tame squirrel tugs at the creased trouser legs
of beautiful girls strewn like discarded pegs,
on tattersall rugs on the damp summer turf
their bleached Sunday newspapers billow like surf
bringing whispered languages foreign to me
from passionate lovers beneath every tree
this afternoon stroll a surre...
Read more and leave comments (3)
Tuesday 20th April 2010 9:13 pm
Otis cries
I have never known so many shades of black,
each stand immobile in uncomfortable resignation
to await the sombre arrival of Norma’s box,
silently gliding by
the preposterously long shiny car, black of course.
Of course there are tears, and tears make more tears,
all sorry sadly for themselves,
strangers who are strangely old friends
here to say goodbye and eat the vol-au-vents
the g...
each stand immobile in uncomfortable resignation
to await the sombre arrival of Norma’s box,
silently gliding by
the preposterously long shiny car, black of course.
Of course there are tears, and tears make more tears,
all sorry sadly for themselves,
strangers who are strangely old friends
here to say goodbye and eat the vol-au-vents
the g...
Read more and leave comments (11)
Wednesday 14th April 2010 11:38 pm
Hustings
I understand what you need
so trust me,
I have extensive experience
take a look at my record,
I also feel your pain
so follow me,
I will take you to a better place
let me make a difference,
I know what to do
if you’ll believe what I tell you,
I am the right man to deliver
so don’t listen to others,
I will never lie to you
your life is safe with me,
I’ll do my best...
so trust me,
I have extensive experience
take a look at my record,
I also feel your pain
so follow me,
I will take you to a better place
let me make a difference,
I know what to do
if you’ll believe what I tell you,
I am the right man to deliver
so don’t listen to others,
I will never lie to you
your life is safe with me,
I’ll do my best...
Read more and leave comments (0)
Friday 9th April 2010 12:57 pm
Gaia
Glance idly and drink the drowsy
lilac’s heady bloom,
or doze a dream beneath the lilting
banana fronds,
appreciate this idyllic time we share
lest these bounteous gifts disappear,
wasted by drugged ambivalence
abandoned with scant promiscuity, then
raped in doubtful ignorance
minutes to millennia flee
into some cosmic rendezvous
none slow or choose to gift a glance as
Gaia sighs...
lilac’s heady bloom,
or doze a dream beneath the lilting
banana fronds,
appreciate this idyllic time we share
lest these bounteous gifts disappear,
wasted by drugged ambivalence
abandoned with scant promiscuity, then
raped in doubtful ignorance
minutes to millennia flee
into some cosmic rendezvous
none slow or choose to gift a glance as
Gaia sighs...
Read more and leave comments (2)
Thursday 18th March 2010 1:24 am
Lion and Lamb
A fearsome battle looms
early on this Martius Ide,
as Rhedam growls her wicked breath,
a loud and stormy lion roar
that rips our throats, our eyes, our sense,
throughout these lengthened brittle days.
Her sharpened diamond glacial eyes,
direct an icy phalanx down
to break another bent and battered foe,
whom though defeated, stricken, lain
on harsh scrubbed sodden grass,
is neighbour to...
early on this Martius Ide,
as Rhedam growls her wicked breath,
a loud and stormy lion roar
that rips our throats, our eyes, our sense,
throughout these lengthened brittle days.
Her sharpened diamond glacial eyes,
direct an icy phalanx down
to break another bent and battered foe,
whom though defeated, stricken, lain
on harsh scrubbed sodden grass,
is neighbour to...
Read more and leave comments (3)
Monday 1st March 2010 12:17 pm
Tantric
Charm me, like a snake
draw me up,
use your hands to hold me there,
firm but wavering,
my intent unclear
in gentle sway, erect
with piercing concentration,
transcendental
one aching tip,
unable to satisfy my basic urge
to spit and strike
into your soft plum flesh.
© Graham Sherwood 2/2010...
draw me up,
use your hands to hold me there,
firm but wavering,
my intent unclear
in gentle sway, erect
with piercing concentration,
transcendental
one aching tip,
unable to satisfy my basic urge
to spit and strike
into your soft plum flesh.
© Graham Sherwood 2/2010...
Read more and leave comments (5)
Monday 22nd February 2010 1:16 am
Fearless
So I tread on your Lego whilst still in my socks,
and listen when you tell me that I’ve slowed down a lot,
I need a little magic (you say) to keep up,
with your matter of fact honesty, candour and pluck,
then I see the ten years that your parents have aged,
in your three and three quarters of continual rampage,
but sat here with me on our pirate-ship bed
we sail through adventures tha...
and listen when you tell me that I’ve slowed down a lot,
I need a little magic (you say) to keep up,
with your matter of fact honesty, candour and pluck,
then I see the ten years that your parents have aged,
in your three and three quarters of continual rampage,
but sat here with me on our pirate-ship bed
we sail through adventures tha...
Read more and leave comments (2)
Saturday 13th February 2010 1:39 pm
January
January’s weak, unlikely forward wind,
sneers a growling bark at yuletide’s indulgent frivolity,
then scowls again, to usher brusquely in
the new year’s hopes, desires and fears.
And in the dour and clammy chill,
Janus with his ancient tethered clanking key,
hesitates, unsure which die to cast,
then plays his hand
to scatter fortunes with ne’er a blink.
© G...
sneers a growling bark at yuletide’s indulgent frivolity,
then scowls again, to usher brusquely in
the new year’s hopes, desires and fears.
And in the dour and clammy chill,
Janus with his ancient tethered clanking key,
hesitates, unsure which die to cast,
then plays his hand
to scatter fortunes with ne’er a blink.
© G...
Read more and leave comments (1)
Sunday 24th January 2010 8:41 pm
Mole
A full sky,
so crammed full it may plummet,
pale grey, dense, delivering polar snow.
The paddock in shining cloudscape,
a brilliant white duvet of silence.
The five oaks sleep
beneath a funereal gauze of morning mist,
as the nauseous silence demands my attention.
Then stirring noiselessly, at my feet
dark wet earth,
an eruption of chocolate crumbs,
morsel by morsel, rudely,
blemished b...
so crammed full it may plummet,
pale grey, dense, delivering polar snow.
The paddock in shining cloudscape,
a brilliant white duvet of silence.
The five oaks sleep
beneath a funereal gauze of morning mist,
as the nauseous silence demands my attention.
Then stirring noiselessly, at my feet
dark wet earth,
an eruption of chocolate crumbs,
morsel by morsel, rudely,
blemished b...
Read more and leave comments (4)
Thursday 14th January 2010 8:06 pm
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