By Stephen Kingsnorth Previously published by The Ekphrastic Review, November 2022 Les Saltimbanques (The Acrobats), by Gustave Dore (France) 1874 A balanced art composed to bringdiagonals of blue, soak red,reflecting acrobatic swing -but shed composure, fallen, bled.Sneer ace of spades in circus grinjoins daylight owl awaiting death,hug leotard, pale second skinsave flush of loins, last … Continue reading Wailing Wall
Lengths for Width
By Stephen Kingsnorth First published by Poetry Potion 2020 It lies beneath her surface sheen,the real disturbance of disease, dementia spread, synapse collapse,while outwardly she knows the rules -the courtesies to strangers shown,as even dares to hold her hand,mutters sweet nothings to her lobe.He daily comes from swimming baths,stiff exercise for sinew strength,some lengths of … Continue reading Lengths for Width
Yield and Other Poems
By Stephen Kingsnorth Yield You know, like dough, a verse needs rest, before again you wrestle words, or like a smith you hammer, beat, to smash the molten into shape. Now does it sizzle, tip dipped, cool, or maybe back to furnace heat, avoid pig-iron, brittle work, when best is wrought through sweated toil? If … Continue reading Yield and Other Poems
Pupils and Other Poems
By Stephen Kingsnorth Pupils I’ve noticed, despite forty years, how scene in seen by different eyes; whatever episode we share, attention’s paid from other lists. I note the old, sway hardboard walls, the makeshift stairs, strained bannisters, while she absorbed, how cast decked out - the clothes as worn, not battered props. I listen hard … Continue reading Pupils and Other Poems
Old Glories and Other Poems
By Stephen Kingsnorth Old Glories Grand Pop would coat with calamine, a paler pink, war painting art, with blue tats, stark veins, printed back, tempura fresco, Plato’s cave. Unfocussed, waving, rising glare, that shimmer shared by eagle wings, though, sleeping on this surfer strand, a factor needed, real ale slump: I hang back now while … Continue reading Old Glories and Other Poems
Amongst the Waves and Other Poems
By Stephen Kingsnorth Amongst the Waves I saw her in the Maundy aisle of steady stream, robed city life, my viewpoint from cathedral stall. So short beneath the vaulted heights, but stature tall as gazed about, an eye caught from amongst the crowd, as sight, finite, felt infinity. I have the invitation card, calligraphy in … Continue reading Amongst the Waves and Other Poems
Sanctuary and Other Poems
By Stephen Kingsnorth Sanctuary Altar surround, the sanctuary - it’s holy ground, bared soles, atone, for I have trod with loosened thongs, where even angels fear to tread, and souls exposed, by spirit fed a sentinel, saint sentry point. Yet killing field those turbulent - Becket, Luwum, Romero, priests, for shame exposed, unwelcome voice, seed … Continue reading Sanctuary and Other Poems
Touchstone and Other Poems
By Stephen Kingsnorth Touchstone My hero’s nature seen in the field, landscape laid for bloom and seed, words worth reading, learning creed, where heart buried, under ground. Hearts unaware, sink, daffodils - thought gaudy, banded, bucket bunch, an Easter easy, child-mind bribe - this crowded host without a guide, no manual, dead heading, scythe, flow … Continue reading Touchstone and Other Poems
Resurrection and Other Poems
By Stephen Kingsnorth Resurrection I hear praise, awe the redwoods win, and oaks, withstood near battle scars, but my gem, acorn, palmed, admired, a prospect stored, squirrel ignored. I see them bury, gnaw, forget, a sapling fighting undergrowth, then filtered light through canopy calls for the greenman cambium. And it finds how to rise again, … Continue reading Resurrection and Other Poems
Passing and Other Poems
By Stephen Kingsnorth Passing How quickly turns that silken purse - as though sow’s ear is taking space, hears jealousy, lost in revenge - but dew has dried, curl edges bruised, and secateurs deadhead at speed, already eager for rebirth. From best of blooms that nodding spreads, as if in shame, taut stretch neck drapes, … Continue reading Passing and Other Poems
Academy of the Heart And Mind 