I am Spartacus ..,

I was in the gym when I heard that Kirk Douglas had died -

There was his face, on the telly screen above the cross trainers -

Those fierce eyes -

That gladiator's chin -


Spartacus had been part of my growing up -

Queuing up for tickets in The Ritz -

Wide eyed, watching the scary sword play -

Later, playing gladiators with sticks -


Then, years layer, in a midnight bar with Richard -

First one, then the other, over the Jamesons -

I am Spartacus -

I am Spartacus -



Friday 7 February 2020


Purbeck Sports Centre
Wareham
Dorset

My heart a hare ...

There are snowdrops in the churchyard -

A white moon in the sky - 

Time passing - 

Stars netted by trees - 

My heart a hare - 

Dancing on a high hill - 

Thursday 6 February 2020

The churchyard 

St Mary the Virgin

East Stoke 

Dorset 

I could be a speed king ...

I could be a speed king I thought -

Eating my bacon roll in this garage cafe -

Watching the mechanics -

At ease after sly chicanes -



Wednesday 5 February 2020


Rainbow Cafe
Winfrith
Dorset

Digging for joy ...

That boy digs for joy said Peggotty -

I saw her on the screen -

There they were, above the silver headed great and the good of the gentle town -

Mr Dicks, with his wordy kite above the summer meadow -

Mr Murdstone with his cruel big hands -

The cringing Heep -

Steerforth, asking to be remembered at his best -

Micawber, dining alfresco in the rookery -

Every meal a picnic -

David, digging for joy -

He found it too, that boy -



Monday 3 February 2020


The Rex
Wareham
Dorset 

The man from Everest ...

The man from Everest wore an Essex smile -

His landship glowed under the pines -

Ted Moult he said -

Ah yes, the feather -



Monday 3 February 2020


The Old School House
East Stoke
Dorset 

The corkscrew stair ...

I'm reading Golding's Spire -

I've walked past the school where he taught his wild boys -

I've see the five rivers running into the city -


Now, whenever I'm there, looking up, I'll see the spire falling -

Devils will run with me down Penny-farthing Street -


In my dreams, I'll climb the corkscrew stair -

I'll hear the song the stones make -


I'll hammer in a nail from Christ's cross -

A six-winged angel will comfort me -



Saturday 2 February 2020


The Old School House
East Stoke
Dorset  

Lichen on the bare tree ...

I was moving the logs -

Sullen pine, wet from the rain -


I saw the toad -

Visible now to the world -


An ancient shape under the twilight sky -

No birds were singing -


There were snowdrops in the churchyard -

Lichen on the bare tree -



Saturday 1 February 2020


The Old School House
East Stoke
Dorset