Friday 26 May 2017

SUPERMODEL WITH CAT


A revised poem, now with a different title.
Thanks to the Secrets for their constructive assessment.
Supermodel with Cat

Even the ripped upholstery is displayed with taste.
Artful entropy, tres shabby chic.
Take in the blond waterfall of her perfect hair.
She sprawls at ease,
mirrors the cat on her lap.


The first Saturday of the next month,
separated as we are by the Pennines,
we will both glance at the magazine's cover,
then you will read the letters page,
while I file away the gardening tips.
Less is almost always more. 
Here is Natalie Merchant with Motherland.
Until next time.

Friday 5 May 2017

METAL SPEAKS

This first poem arose out of a conversation concerning the changing role of mechanics, the trend towards the use of diagnostic computers and the consequent narrowing of human skill bases.

this time around he is a mechanic who cannot fix cars
who spends his days changing units as directed by the diagnostic computer

he has always worked with his hands
made the best bows in his tribe back on the wind scoured step

twice crafted watches in France
pewter chargers in Barcelona


metal speaks to him
steel iron bronze flint and stone as well

now he does as he is told
his eternal self wonders if that is the lesson of this life
As usual there is no title. I was drawn to the idea of an eternal soul gaining satisfaction from the act of creating objects with their hands.
Here is last post's poem revised.

Lisbon: 16.4.17

She shades her head
with the poly-pocketed paper
that proclaims her - tour guide

then
the
human
crocodile
pauses
turns
on
her
cue
to
take
in
the
view
and
with
a
collective
sigh
resumes
its
progress

down
          
         the

                steep

                         street
The hot and bothered tour group that inspired this poem as they wilted in the heat were climbing up the street but the poem works better on the page if they are descending.
There is a new Mountain Goats album due this month Goths. Here's a sneak preview.