"this is sixth form poetry, not Keats or Yeats"
At the far edges of the world, Hidden deep amongst the Raging seas and rising waves Laze a series of secret atolls and coral coves; Remote islands that are almost entirely Untouched by human hands. Untouched by human hands, But maimed by the detritus that those hands have wrought. As coffee lids and toothbrushes Bathe … Read more
This poem is inspired by recent research, which has found that substituting refined carbohydrates with fresh avocados can significantly suppress hunger in overweight and obese adults. When it comes to managing appetite, there is clearly no ‘one size fits all’ solution. However, understanding the relationship between food and different populations can reveal opportunities for reducing … Read more
You glide across your silky precipice, Enticed by spasms at the edges of your kingdom; You see nothing, Just a loose thread caught in the wind. Suddenly, movement – You do not sense the vibrations Beneath your feet, But from the air above. A shadow falls across your web as you Dart across hidden ley … Read more
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; But how would it taste? Salty, Sour, Bitter, Sweet, That other one, the name For which I always forget Until it is on the tip of my tongue: Umami. A savoury taste locked up in Caramelised meat … Read more
Sailing swiftly along the salted seashore, Your whiteish throat flanks brown streaks That accentuate comedic orange brows. Amongst saline marshes and sunken reeds You build your nests in tall grasses, Limited by any stable support to protect Our token gesture of ‘high concern’; Your whispery, wheezy song a knowing nod To the limitations of your … Read more
Your recent absences have become More pronounced; The late spring evenings are no longer Alive with the industry of your approach, And the flowers in the hanging baskets On the high street fidget with uncertainty. We know that something is wrong, and So we call a meeting in the public library, where We trace your … Read more
On the night that Titus fell His night nest was not empty, Not empty, but silent. His body still warm, Still warm to receive The procession of still warmer bodies Come to bear witness to what had Fallen. First comes Umushikirano, He beats his chest and begins to Shake the fallen emperor. Later he … Read more
Walking backwards we follow Your trail of malevolence. Random doodles scrawled across the Loose soil lead us back to your nest, Where empty sacs of life Lay scattered like Last week’s dirty laundry. Carefully we map out the Stratified layers of sand that You have loving dug in spiralled Rhythms of ochre and gold. Each … Read more
Once they roamed across the plains like gods, Their gigantic frames drowning out the sun As they paraded in quiet contemplation. Jealous of their size and serenity We hunted them to the brink of extinction, Turning their beautiful pearly whites into Piano keys, billiard balls, and minor objects of decorative value. After we were told … Read more
Beneath the shimmering surface of the sea Lie tiny specks of hope, Inconsequential fragments of life That work tirelessly to remove The years of smut and grease Regurgitated by higher organisms. Locked in the loving embrace of these Forgettable and singular plant cells This industrial detritus falls like snow, Giant flecks of white that drift … Read more