poems

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

Fire Escape

The flames weren’t suffocating
            it was the walls
and when they crumbled 
            under the honey-gold furnace of freedom
my claustrophobia burnt to cinder
             feeding the land renewed life
growing vines to reach out
             to the world.

It’s been a while since I posted a poem to my site, I’ve been very busy with other projects, but now I have some time to bring my focus back to my poetry.

Anyway, I hope you like the new stuff I’m releasing in the coming weeks.

Take It Easy,

Paul

Hope Rage Sunflowers – A Poetry Anthology to Raise Funds for Ukraine

Hi everybody.

Something slightly different from me today. Anja, a poet friend of mine has put together an anthology to raise funds for victims of the Ukraine war.

Donations are on a pay-as-you-can basis and made to a charity based in Berlin providing aid to refugees. Once a donation has been made, email or DM Anja on Twitter with proof of donation and she will send you the anthology in PDF format.

Aside from poetry, the anthology also features stunning artwork and Anja has worked extremely hard and efficiently in getting the publication finalised.

The link to donate is https://www.ukraine-hilfe-berlin.de/spende/

Anja’s email is annickyerem@gmail.com

The link to Anja’s Twitter post detailing the information is https://twitter.com/missyerem/status/1502186977654980609

Thanks for Reading

Paul

Hope Can Be Heavy

Brothers and sister,
strangers and friends, 
like a sad smile on lips 
				- 	hope can be heavy.  


Let us sit and talk,
of better times gone by,
of better times to come.


If you are weary -
lay your head on my broad shoulders,
and let the hope that built them,
cushion your hearts and minds.


When darkness descends,
I’ll light a candle,
to burn it away -
even the slightest flicker of flame,
can illuminate the way ahead.


Before you leave,
please share this embrace,
feel strength through unity,
and let that carry you onwards.


Return any time you wish,
you will always have a place here,
in my heart and in my soul,
I know that hope can be heavy 
							- but you don’t carry it alone.

**********************************

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem today. I hope wherever you are, you are safe. Let our unity endure.

Thanks

Paul