Those unblinking eyes

The Eastern European brings me a flat white -

He looks like a zek -

That shaven head -

Those unblinking eyes -

Swanage 

February 2026

The soft wings of prayers

On the high hill above the sea -

The wind shaken Chapel -

Two doors in the dark stone - 

The soft wings of prayers -

Sheep grazing on the bright wet grass -

A tree with white blossoms in a garden -

Abbotsbury 

February 2026

Reading For Whom the Bell Tolls

The trail through the pines -

The snow falling almost in June -

 Anselmo saying I am against the killing of all men -

The flails and sickles in the town square -

Roberto holding Maria's hand -

How he says thy hand is enough -

The fascist planes in the sky -

Three score years and ten becoming two days -

Putting the book down -

My heart filled with sorrow, then with love -

February 2026

A Half English

A Half English in Beavers -

No sign of the land girl with her corduroy trousers -

Gentle pensioners -

Soft rain falling on Institute Road -

Swanage 

February 2026

Homeless man

Your wild beard -

Your mad hair -

The bottle of vodka at your lips -

The customers in Greggs hearing you cry out -

Your voice -

Like a wound -

I can still hear it -

Anguished and terrible -

Salisbury 

February 2026

Nigel's back

Nigel's back -

Laura caught a glimpse of his dreadlocks -

I've missed his stories -

Dwarf Lords in Hackney -

The Battle of the Beanfield -

Ian Drury -

Flying Saucers -

Taking a donkey through Customs -

Drinking Breton cider - 

Dazzling me with names -

Memories of gypsies -

The secrets of Autumn fields -

Swanage 

February 2026

Going live

Going live -

Studio air zinging with radio magic -

My voice a silken net -

February 2926