There is no balm for the yearning of eucalypts,candlebarks stretch up this vaulted wantingdahlias splash an insane chant over a paddocka calf nods and backs into a startled wander,one day she might raspily lick the mystery of my supplicant salty palm. Kunzeas shake in the darting thoughts of ransacking honeyeaters;galaxies of shining filaments catch their … Continue reading Waiting

I might go down to Clevelandwhere my people worked the minesas the ocean rose through shaleand their lives were cast asideheard the house may be still be standingwith the brush growing holdbut the planes aren’t taking airand ships are locked to wharvesall the things we used to trafficin the blustery broken daysgone wild now from … Continue reading When the fever breaks, Covid song

You were more Romany than Dutchin most of those  inclinations gypsynot polite unqizzical Amsterdama head of flumed unwilted magentaa jack in the box of surprisesthat could not be upbraided I still cook for the both of usalthough there’s a chef travellingwith the circus in Spainlast I heard north of Barcelonain the best of sumac and … Continue reading Armada Psalm to the Spanish Main

They are late this morninga cacophony from the south easttwo relayed arcsboisterous in their shiningin axis out of a woad skyshouting of pillagewhere the pines topple into oceannow an altitude of scythesmaking delay a pastbeat cumulous shieldsconverge for instructionmaul out the linkflailing from a lemon sulphur pavlovato peel away in renewed certainty John Downton 'noisy … Continue reading In the whimsy of cockatoos, merging flocks

In Arles I bought three Camargue shirtswhite embroidered in red and blue xanthousand one azure fleur-de- lis in Large.‘Paris est tres jolie’ the maker’s wifewhile holding their new babyshowed me the workshop and pure cotton foils,as her husband worked the sewing machine.We gestured in hand to mouth comprehensionI made my choice and passed the Euros,then … Continue reading Couleurs d’Arles

Remove overfed cat from kitchen benchwipe down (bench) and remove hairwipe out mixing bowl removing furscrub pastry board, unblock sinkplace wad of cat (from sink) in compost bucketfrom pantry remove flour etcand furball in entrance, yes that 3am noise was realfind (chewed) packet of yeastopen window and yell I hate fucking catsconsole neighbours who think … Continue reading How to bake the best breakfast scones in easy steps

Sunday always has that gamey flavoura secret tilt of baking dish, the table spoonof flour. My arm in redoubt against a raiding fork,the last of the potatoes, salty crisp top of mouth.Toddlers falling off the soft chocolate of family,lips fat with mutton, mashed peas for chins.Mint by the gulley trap in a mauve furze of … Continue reading By a window, mid Fall

I am waiting for dayhere in the bed without youspreadeagled on secondsthat take light years to arrive and depart.Going over your letters and postcardsI wonder if love can be diminished in transitso giddy I might lose myselfin the slippery travertine of words and images.I’m volley balling the moonpretending to focus somehow resoluteif I look at … Continue reading Sorting the Morning

this morning stretchof extracted core samplea study of antipodescan’t assay in proof your first kiss to my bellythat falling butterfly tapestryor what my hand translatesin the sleuth of your back these separate roomsas breathing needs sleepnot to tell the childrenof this old ruin you and me where the hypocaustintact between the villasis stoked with more than … Continue reading Roman Baths

For if I die tonightI’ve seen the grace in descenta conclave of souls by mirthbeneath a gravity of feathersas the sudden embracing stillnessits impossible conclusion in symmetryleans back holding trapped air in posetouchdown to the surface mirroredgliding in most gentle repose