A new poem in Burrow Bi Annual

Cleaning the gutters, advent

each handful carries its own risks
from such fallow rusting
wandering ashes meant for sea
kidnapped by an idling wind,

the journey of leaves delayed
in the stalled gravity of Autumn
beetle husks within dream
roof nails departing purpose,

desiccated chicks abandoned
concerto de Aranjuez
through an open window
forehead above to weatherboard,

debris falling to obeisance
sideways gusts push for witness
an awkward stance in weather
arms out and up a pelican,

of human clinging holding
to this chance of ballast
in a waning day’s prolapse
spreadeagled for seasons,

the weight of each step down
loam alive beneath cuticles
a dust of primary evidence
out of survival’s convenience,

the ladder eased a wingspan
this new station overhung
a light rain breathes ascent
everything renewed, again

Published in Burrow e Journal, Old Water Rat Publishing The Geography & Psychology of Place (Under Threat) editors Phillip Hall and Jillian Hall September 2021

https://oldwaterratpublishing.com/2021/08/31/cleaning-the-gutters-advent/