Restaurant reroofed in time for a sleepy little friend to have breakfast

Having commented on two hedgehogs having come out of hibernation last week, with the hedgehog feeding station lacking a roof, I had not seen them again, although the weather has been pretty bad. Then last night, actually this morning at five to six, one of my prickly little friends turned up. Just as well IContinue reading “Restaurant reroofed in time for a sleepy little friend to have breakfast”

Talking To My Father Whose Ashes Sit In A Closet And Listen

by Lisa Zaran Death is not the finalWithout ears, my father still listens,still shrugs his shoulderswhenever I ask a question he doesn’t want to answer.I stand at the closet door, my hand on the knob,my hip leaning against the frame and I ask himwhat does he think about the war in Iraqand how does heContinue reading “Talking To My Father Whose Ashes Sit In A Closet And Listen”

Watching The Mayan Women

by Luisa Villani I hang the window inside outlike a shirt drying in the breezeand the arms that are missing come to meYes, it’s a song, one I don’t quite comprehendalthough I do understand the laundryWhite ash and rainwater, a methodmy aunt taught me, but I’ll never knowhow she learned it in Brooklyn. Her mindhasContinue reading “Watching The Mayan Women”

The Knife

by Keith Douglas 1920-1944 Can I explain this to you? Your eyesare entrances the mouths of cavesI issue from wonderful interiorsupon a blessed sea and a fine day,from inside these caves I look and dream.Your hair as explicable as a waterfallin some black liquid cooled by legendfell across my thought in a momentbecame a garmentContinue reading “The Knife”

The thought fox

by Ted Hughes I imagine this midnight moment’s forest: Something else is alive Beside the clock’s loneliness And this blank page where my fingers move. Through the window I see no star: Something more near Though deeper within darkness Is entering the loneliness: Cold, delicately as the dark snow, A fox’s nose touches twig, leaf;Continue reading “The thought fox”

Amidst the Noisy Ball . . .

by Aleksander Pushkin 1799-1837 Amidst the noisy ball, in Hell Of everyday distress, I’ve seen you, but the secret’s veil Was covering your face. Your fair eyes were sad and bright, And voice was so sweet, As sound of a pipe apart Or murmur of the sea. I’ve liked your fine and slender waist, AndContinue reading “Amidst the Noisy Ball . . .”

Casualty

by Seamus Heaney 1939-2013 He would drink by himself And raise a weathered thumb Towards the high shelf, Calling another rum And blackcurrant, without Having to raise his voice, Or order a quick stout By a lifting of the eyes And a discreet dumb-show Of pulling off the top; At closing time would go InContinue reading “Casualty”