my friend died
and in the burning heartbreak
and in the acid tears
the memories of how we laughed together in the olive groves
returned
and there was joy in sadness
Hello dear
Hello? Oh dear. Oh well, I’ll leave a message. Hello dear. You know I always love your presents, they’re always so thoughtful. That time you printed out that album of photos from my phone. I could never have done that on my own. Write Your Own Will – that was a useful book – all done now! But you know that. This year though I’m confused. Should I press this big red button on the clock?
published on www.paragraphplanet.com 27 December 2023
friends, Sunday lunchtime
conversation
relaxation
silence
appreciation
conversation
relaxation
a long goodbye
until tomorrow
never let go
I need to be held at night
when I shiver and shake and I shout in my sleep
I need to be held
and if you hold me
I will tattoo your name onto my hand
to hold tight to my face through the pillow
and if you hold me
I promise I will hold you back
and never let go until you tell me
Born
born deep
deep down in the darkness
we dream
until it ends
early morning sky
early morning sky
new dreams become ambitions
beyond the moon and stars
my mother’s mother’s (first draft)
my mother’s mother’s mother’s mother’s mother
[more mothers]
walked out of the sea a million years ago
[check timescale]
and now I find myself dreaming back in that direction
the sea as far as the moon-touching horizon
[and there is nothing to add]
full moon mastery
shadows filter as his hand hovers above the silver coin
decisions must be made, lives shaped
the moon drowns out the stars
the same star
seeing the same star
from my window
from your window
seeing the same star
in the days to come
in the days to come
I shall tend my garden
I shall be alone
with memories of your distance
until the sun falls
and the animals gather
and the clouds finally clear
from the skies
simonsalento 