The sea which touches the edge of the world ...

I'm walking toward the bend in the river -

A watch around my wrist which tells only one time -

An Old Testament sky above the flooded fields -


The year ending -

Behind me, the small houses -

Ahead of me, the sea which touches the edge of the world -


Tuesday 31 Decembet 2019


Ridge
Dorset 

Ravenna train ...

This year, I think I'll go by train to Ravenna -

I'll see the mosaics -

I'll sip an expresso, wear a linen suit -


I'll sit with my shadow -

I'll find the words -


December 2019

East Stoke
Dorset 

Winter caught in a net of stars ...

Ben put down his moonshine -

Only hardcore boatmen drink there now he said -

I walk there with Flash, foraging for the stove -


I pictured the pub on the remote cut -

The dour Olive behind the bar -

The derelict stables facing the dark water -

The ale in a tall glass -

The sky in the window -

Winter caught in a net of stars -


December 2019


Ferring
West Sussex 

Over Laphroaig ..,

Over Laphroaig I remembered Konya -

Ken marching through the dark hotel -

Insisting they opened the bar -

Sitting with him, drinking the obscure gin we found -

The waiters gazing at us -

Astonished yet still courtly -

Later walking through the ancient city -

Past courtyards where rapt dancers touched heaven and earth -


December 2019

Ferring
West Sussex

At our boozy ease ...

We sat at our boozy ease -

The long table was strewn with exciting bottles -

Varnsey and Charlie were vaping -

The sisters shared Brighton memories -

I remembered Tess singing on a summer's stage -

She clasped her slender glass -

Flash's eyes were a yellowy brown -

Ben smiled his gentle mysterious smile -


December 2019


Ferring
West Sussex 

The whole world here for him ...

We walked along the beach -

Spooky bungalows were half hidden by tamarisk trees -

Salt rimed windows faced the sea -

Flash raced on ahead, leaping and slender -

The whole world here for him, joyous and strange -


December 2019


Ferring beach
West Sussex 

The first winter ...

Candles glimmered amongst the half empty bottles -

A glass was filled with Raker's Shine -

Ben spoke about his first winter on the narrow boat -

The ice on the windows -

The frozen trees overlooking the tow path -

The warmth of the fragrant stove -

Reading a chapter from a treasured book -

Biggles sees it through - 


December 2019

Ferring
West Sussex