poem

Masks

April 15, 2021 By Ellen Leave a Comment

On the most ordinary of outings Between the seasonal specials and the dog food That’s where it happens Crossing off baked beans and then You look up and There is a baby who doesn’t smile back Why would he? The woman with the liver-spotted knuckles and the sardines in her trolley List, tightly clutched Her […]

A quotidian quarrel

March 29, 2021 By Ellen Leave a Comment

Bin lids dance away. A packet escapes and I pounce. That howling in the trees. Mocking, flinging litter to exuberant cartwheels down the lane and away. It sees, I know it does. Watching my ambition: a coffee in the spring light. That’s all. Calm and quiet. Hair in my face – it was brushed this […]

Looking Lass

July 26, 2020 By Ellen Leave a Comment

The other day I found myself trying to write a poem about why I’m not a poet. Yes, I know… Anyhow, here’s something else I did write. Looking lass Sometimes in a mirror, there’s a woman I don’t know Neither less nor more, just surprising Her hopeful eyes glitter – she’s been waiting Our […]

Grip

July 22, 2020 By Ellen 2 Comments

The fact I’ve written something that looks like a poem doesn’t make me into a poet. Nope. It is only because I’m a woman with words inside her that won’t stop themselves trying to escape – however badly they manifest. You don’t need to hold on so tight It’s true, your air-tight fist is […]

The Present – by Billy Collins

May 27, 2020 By Ellen Leave a Comment

The Present By Billy Collins Much has been said about being in the present. It’s the place to be, according to the gurus, like the latest club on the downtown scene, but no one, it seems, is able to give you directions. It doesn’t seem desirable or even possible to wake up every morning and […]