The Night People

The rhubarb and custard floating fish,
always call for me 
- at a minute past midnight 
to take me to the Night People;
deep above the violet vertigo clouds
where I join the citizens to sip starlight,
and cavort with the moon;
while the Queen hosts dice games,
that she never wins and rarely loses,
just enjoying being among her subjects.

When I bid farewell, 
I sleep peacefully.

I’m currently experimenting with some different poetry styles, and this mystical-inspired poetry was originally entered into the Dai Fry competition. Although I was unsuccessful in being longlisted, I thought I would share my work with you all.

How are you all? I hope you’re keeping well and enjoying the summer wherever you are in the world (unless it’s a different season where you are!).

Take it easy and have a great day

Paul

Treasure

The strawberry patch
  in full         bloom 
scarlet gems
ripe with summer’s flavour
under the dewy     heat 
of the sun
they are   temptation
a picture of beauty 
yet hide an    ugly truth
for the red jewels 
have hidden         chips and cracks
botched heists 
by starlings, swifts and finches
my treasure    lost 
for another 
         year.

Thanks for taking the time to read Treasure; I appreciate it. If you want to read more of my work, have a little wander around my site. Whatever you do, have a great day.

Take It Easy

Paul

Chokehold

Throat 
raw with grief
or is it the whiskey
each fuelling the other 
like oceans 
feed storms
and storms 
feed oceans. 

blue volcanoes
push magma down my face
but instead of sulphur
it's the sodium that burns 

they say applying pressure on coal
gives you a diamond 
the weight of your loss
cuts with clarity
time is precious
life is finite.

Thanks for taking the time to read this poem. Sometimes grief can’t let you say things, so you have to write them down.
Enough of the moroseness; I hope you’re doing well, and if you want to read something lighthearted after this, I’d recommend this poem.

Take it easy,

Paul

Incendiary

Golden sands were painted coal-dust black
          the day I found the flint
it called to me 
          like a flame draws a moth
I knew then my purpose 
          but setting the world ablaze
doesn’t come easy 
          often fires splutter out sparks 
and embers fade
           before they become effective
so I became patient 
           striking the firestone 
when it really mattered
           like the day            I found her 
and saw the kindling catch 
            behind her hazel eyes
the inferno still 
            roars.

Thanks for taking the time to read Incendiary. If you’d like to keep up to date with my newest poems as they come out, follow my site, and you’ll be updated with every new post.

In the meantime, take it easy,

Paul

Carry On

Weather-beaten hands struggle 
against the pulling weight of age 
and future fiefdoms
he tries gallantly
to slow the beat of time 
measuring success 
in only the moments
a smile touches his lips
staring into her eyes.

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem; I genuinely appreciate it.

Please feel free to leave comments or constructive critiques; I’m always grateful for learning opportunities.

Take It Easy

Paul

Chaotic Romance

I’m lost in the chaos
and romance 
of the jazz playing 
through my headphones
mainlining wordless wisdom 
straight to my brain

the addiction took over me 
in a past existence
Coltrane, Davis and The Dave Brubeck Quartet
imprinted my bloodstream

let my feet and fingers tap 
and head sway
whether frenzied or not
I don't want to be found just yet 
the sound of the sax and trumpets
is the sound of my soul
is the sound of romantic chaos.

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem. I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to leave any comments you may have below.

Take it Easy

Paul

Captains

Streets glowing amber 
in the lamplit haze
our feet firm on the cobbled quay
adrenaline anchoring the buzz 
delivered in the bottle of wine 
sunk in the taxi 
as we cruised into town
all captains of our destiny
awe-wide eyes moving like beacons
with crested grins plastered on faces 
taking in the scene 
anticipating tonight’s chicanery
and tomorrow's dark storm of a hangover
we let the wind push us forward 
       -  surrendering to the city.

Thanks for taking the time to read Captains, inspired by the awe of my first night out in a city.

Feel free to leave any comments or critique you may have.

Take It Easy

Paul

Abyss of Irrelevance

Their laurels are flattened and dull
from being rested on
for far too long 
but they can’t bring themselves 
to try something new
so they lose their sheen quickly
with those who listened to them for hours on end
who now become bored with their blether
and the laurels dull further.

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem. I welcome any comments or constructive critiques.

Take It Easy,

Paul