Glioblastoma

The hospital bed in the lounge -

The ruin of her husband's body -

The ashes in her eyes -

The Focus Centre 

Swanage 

September 22 2026 

You wore a geometric dress

You sat next to me whilst the saxophones poured out their golden notes -

I had to force myself not to turn and look at you - 

You wore a geometric dress - 

I knew the shape of your lovely body from our swims together -

Your legs were brown and bare - 

You'd smiled when you saw me -

You're gorgeous I'd said - 

We listened to the jazz -

Your husband said he was too tired to have a drink - 

You walked me to the car - 

The sky above the castle was a darkening blue - 

When I held you a third time I said I shouldn't be doing this -

Yes you should you said - 

Sandy Hills Arts

Corfe Castle 

September 20 2026

Stars fall on me from heaven

I'm reading William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love -

An angel holds my hand -


Stars fall on me from heaven -

When I look in the mirror I see that I am beautiful - 

The Old School House 

East Stoke 

September 20 2026

At the Bring and Share

Slyly uncorking a Merlot - 

Gazing about me -


These bottles of red -

Slices of quiche -


The retired vicar's neat beard -

The young MP -

Hearing the slightly tipsy laughter -

The shared names -


Moving through the well mannered house -

Like being a ghost amongst these worthies -

These former comrades -

Lucinda's house

Swanage

September 19 2026

The windows of my heart flung open

Holding his small hand - 

The windows of my heart flung open -

Walking in the light of his joy -

Salisbury 

September 18 2026 

There were still apples on the tree

There were still apples on the tree -

So many -


Like those moments with you -

Even now, at the very end of my autumn -

Bringing summer back - 

The Old School House 

East Stoke 

September 17 2026

Rose drinks her tea

Rose smiles her wary smile -

Gravelly voiced, she's shrugged off death threats - 

She knows which numbers to call -

Wise with her memory of the streets -

Reaching for her tea -

As though she were still in her office -

Her lanyard round her neck - 

Waiting to hear the next desperate story - 

Herston Hall

Swanage 

September 16 2026