The Italian Gardens

I followed a winding path to the Italian Gardens -

Sunlight fell on blossom and bright greenery -

White pillars framed a view of the sea -

A young naked god faced the blueness of the sky -

The air was warm -

Full of memory and dream -

As though I were at last awake -

Opening my eyes to what I had never seen -

The Italian Gardens 

Scarborough 

April 2026

In Woodend

A flat white in Woodend -

The murmur of creatives' voices - 

Pristine spaces -

Exquisite ceramics -

The painting of Edith Sitwell -

The dew falling on her eyes -

The glimpses of the white hotels through the floor to ceiling window -

The pale northern sky -

Woodend 

Scarborough 

April 2026

He's just hanging around

Sitting in the garden of Number 53 -

Gulls weaving between the chimney pots on salty wings -

Dazzle of blossom above my head -

Chilled Carling in my glass -

Remembering playing pool with Wallace -

The Stranglers on Spotify -

Hugh Cornwall singing he's just hanging around -

Scarborough 

April 2026

My spirit as light as his

I play table tennis with Wallace in the attic room -

Below us, salty roofs face the sea -

Hitting the ball with a lurch of my bat, I  wish that I was younger -

My hair no longer white -

My spirit as light as his -

My eye as pure -

Scarborough 

April 2026

The bed

Birdsong -

Sunlight through the trees -

Sleepless hours -

The bed where I found no comfort -

Woodhall

April 2026

Watching Die Hard

Bruce looks like a half naked bloodied angel -

Barefoot, he slays henchmen -

The sneering villain wears a beautiful suit -

Flames devour policemen -

Bruce aims his unfailing gun -

Welcome to the party he says -

April 2026

How he whoops

When I'm in darkness, I think of Jake -

How he fills my life with joy -

How he whoops when he catches balloons -

April 2026