On the park bench she remembers the fights and the lies and cries a little. Midday clouds part and somehow life is clearer. In the supermarket she stands in line, tight white knuckles on pram handles highlit by the overhead tubes. She is not frightened when the night comes.
Written for Derby Book Festival, May 2023
always know the worst may come
snow on the early-budded roses
see the beauty of hope in the darkness
inspired by John
we close our eyes in the darkness awake
if the door opens the light will return
believe in the light before it appears
inspired by John
twentyfour hours of light
brightening snow on horizon mountain tops
trust the future and keep the faith
we see the same moon
the light on my neighbour’s gate
stars prickling the velvet sky
Close your eyes.
Hold them closed and create the one light that shines in the darkness.
It is an impossible light.
It should not exist but it does.
Focus on the light, see it from all sides.
See how it illuminates everything you bring near it.
Remember the light when you open your eyes.
It will always be there when you need it.
they pulled off their shirts the light through their chests shone dark dreams slowly gathered
yellow golden fire red
towered beech casts its light
illuminating autumn
skin sun hot, salt streaked
roof terrace shower ice shock
light slants; we make our own rainbows
you shone
I reflected
brighter
I knew
than the star
I saw
you were
simonsalento 