Confessions Of Chrysthete XXIV

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXIV

she is emotional
but also self-assertive
helping the stranger with his stick
pointing out the stair-less path
which will lead him
to the back of the church
whose bell rings the half-hour
she is her own woman
only half-smiling
at his quick return

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 4th October 2006

Unpublished

October in Crete

OCTOBER IN CRETE

Behind the Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof
the brilliant sun is quickly setting.
Beyond lies the peninsular
with its monastery and Orthodox Academy.
Meanwhile in the East
the gibbous moon rises
over the haze of
jagged mountain tops
that stretch almost to Africa
but for the sea that cuts between.
Lanes lined with bamboo
lead to olive groves
and orange trees that crop twice-yearly.
Dogs and hens and goats
share yards,
each with their private shrine to St. Nicholas.
Even after dark
it is still warm.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 3rd October 2006

Publication

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXIII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE

XXIII

in this contrary world
where nothing seems
to be whatever it seems
put on a brave face
keep smiling
be a survivor.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 3rd October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXII


kindness
is like a ripple
that spreads out
in an ever increasing circle

but circles can be bro
ken,
tumult disturb the calm

reinstatement
requires
strength

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 3rd October 2006

Unpublished

(as11)

three moons
in an upstairs window
and one in the pool

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 2nd October 2006

Publication

2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

One-way Street

ONE-WAY STREET

Under the sign
for a one-way-street
the dog sits
waiting
no worries
over forthcoming meals
knowing only
that mademoiselle
will soon return
and walkies
will be resumed.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 2nd October 2006

Publication

2009 Creature Features (Cyprus)

(x6)

green fruit hangs
only the fallen ones
are orange

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 2nd October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXI

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXI

having someone to care for
strengthens the carer
their castle
is surrounded
by a moat
of experience and common sense

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 2nd October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XX

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XX

the eye
of the chameleon
sees what is there
and what is not there
true and not true
look the same
the difference
cannot be seen

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 1st October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XIX

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XIX

with open ears and eyes
she watches his mouth,
listens to the words spoken
and then
defends herself

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 1st October 2006

Unpublished

Soggy Dog

SOGGY DOG

The wet and soggy poodle
lays trails of muddy marks
all along the hallway
up the stairs and
on to his mistress’s bed

oh how she hates him

bathed and clipped
his hair all puffed
and scented

oh how she loves him

until tomorrow

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 1st October 2006

Published

2009 Creature Features (Cyprus)

Confessions Of Chrysthete XVIII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XVIII

to be a friend
i have to love you

to love you
i do not have to like you

but oneness
comes only
when love
is each way

between
before
and after

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Published

2008 Curlew (UK)

Confessions Of Chrysthete XVII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XVII

no point
seeking
for happiness
just
be happy
else
there is
no point

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Published

2008 Curlew (UK)

Confessions Of Chrysthete XVI

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XVI

too late
when old
to regret
lost youth

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XV

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XV

crushed lavander
kills the odour
of pain,
takes the senses
to a higher plain

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XIV

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XIV

the old tree
holds
in its memory
many
visitors

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XIII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XIII

don't lie to yourself
accept your weaknesses
then they will make you strong

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XII

something stirs
in your body
then it clicks
in your head

another case
of déjà vu
.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Unpublished

Cretan Morning

CRETAN MORNING

Ten in the morning:
birds sing in the trees
above the whirr of a wood-cutting machine.

Every so often the loud cry
of cockle-doodle-doo;
someone is hammering,
traffic roars on the main road
children’s voices can be heard.

The cock pierces the air again
and the quiet cacophony continues
as a dog barks.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XI

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XI

she is
unconfident,
lacking in courage
and envious
of the stout-headed poppy
shouting at the sun

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Publication

2011 Snakeskin (Internet)

(x5)

water-drops
glisten on the surface
the leaf smells sweet

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 30th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete X

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE X

talking
to a kind stranger
we leave our life's baggage at home,
share one secret thought

briefly unladen
we open

inner joy

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Maleme, 29th September 2006

Unpublished

(x4)

ancient walls
between its crevices
purple flowers

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Maleme, 29th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete IX

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE IX

a harsh critic
silenced her
she swallowed the words inside her
till they boiled


© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Maleme, 29th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete VIII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE VIII

night of no sleep
afloat above a sea of faces
beckoning

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Maleme, 29th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete VII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE VII

in the darkest forest
my dead father
shines
a torch

i see my mother
from before i was born


© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Maleme, 29th September 2006

Unpublished

(x3)

something scurries
deep in the olive grove
but we do not see

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Maleme, 28th September, 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete VI

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE

VI


how can I ever be alone
with the wind in my face,
the sea at my foot,
the crickets in the bush at night,
a snake or a dog to stroke
and my love by my side?

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Maleme, 28th September, 2006

Unpublished

(x2)

strewn
under autumn leaves
seeds of spring

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 28th September 2006

Unpublished

(x1)

tall sycamores
way way up above
a glimmer of light

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 28th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete V

Confessions of Chrysthete V

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 28th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete IV

Confessions of Chrysthete IV

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 28th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete III

Confessions of Chrysthete III

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 28th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete II

Confessions of Chrysthete II

today's dawn
always a little bit different
from yesterday

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 28th September 2006

Unpublished

Confessions of Chrysthete I

Confessions of Chrysthete I

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 28th September 2006

Unpublished

(y26)

Photograph © Gerald England: view original
autumn breeze
our neighbour's sunflowers
sway

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th September 2006

Published

2006 Falling Leaves

(as10 Pluto)

(PLUTO…)

only eight now
it might have been twelve or more
certainly not nine

© Gerald England

Publication

2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

(y25)

fat magpie
sitting on the fence
autumn wind

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 21st August 2006

Publication

2006 Falling Leaves (Internet)

(as9)

rainfall on rocks
the constituency of each
changes with space

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th August 2006

Publication

2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

(y23)

sun out a magpie waits in the willow

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 7th August 2006

Publication

2006 Falling Leaves (Internet)

(y23)

autumn gale
the rosebush knocks
on my window

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 1st August 2006

Publication

2006 Falling Leaves (Internet)

(y21)

cooler night
i fetch the duvet
from its cupboard

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 31st July 2006

Publication

2006 Summer Haiku (Internet)

(as8)

thunder moon
rats scurry for cover
along the deck

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 11th July 2006

Publications

2006 Summer Haiku (Internet)
2006 Meetings in Dejahagascar (Internet)

*****bubuit de luna
sobolani tasnesc spre adapost
de-a lungul puntii

Gerald England

-Romanian translation by
Andrei Dorian Gheorghe-

Publication

2006 SARM (Internet)

(y19)

cruise end
behind a black container
the sun sets

© Gerald England

Composed: North Sea, 23rd June 2006

Unpublished

(as7)

morning moon
the flat sky stretches
to a still sea

© Gerald England

Composed: St Petersburg, 18th June 2006

Publication

2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

(y18)

on the dockside
rows of rolled steel
wait under cranes

© Gerald England

Composed: St Petersburg, 17th June 2006

Unpublished

(y16)

nestled
beneath the old depot
a small lighthouse

© Gerald England

Composed: Nynesham, 15th June 2006

Unpublished

(y15)

departing liner -
from the halted ro-ro
hands wave

© Gerald England

Composed: Warnemunde, 13th June 2006

Unpublished

(y14)

after the noon
changing of the guard
a rush for icecream

© Gerald England

Composed: Copenhagen, 12th June 2006

Publication

2007 Blithe Spirit (UK)

(y13)

harbour entrance
a ladybird lands
on my wrist

© Gerald England

Composed: Copenhagen, 12th June 2006

Publication

2006 Summer Haiku (Internet)
2006 World Kigo Database (Internet)

(y12)

our uncut lawn
all along the edge
buttercups

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 30th May 2006

Publication

2006 Summer Haiku (Internet)

(as6)

low sunlight
north martian winter
a bumby boulder

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th May 2006

Publication

2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

*****lumina scazuta
iarna martiana nordica
un bulgare accidentat

Gerald England

Romanian translation by Andrei Dorian Gheorge

Publication

2006 SARM (Internet)

(y11)

shrivelled daffodils
under the willows' shade:
dandelions bloom

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 27th April 2006

Publication

2006 Summer Haiku (Internet)

(p21)

trees drip drain overflows the open road

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 19th April 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p20)

Easter Sunday in the potting-shed cowslips

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th April 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p12)

spring moves too fast easter so soon upon us

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 12th April 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(as5)

April arrival
the descent upon Venus
fraught with danger

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 9th April 2006

Publication

2006 Meetings at Dejagascar (Internet)

(as4)

post-eclipse
in the afternoon dawn
frogs croak

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 9th April 2006

Publication

2006 Cosmopoetry (Internet)

Snap - April 5th 2006

SNAP - APRIL 5th 2006

the new clock
on the reconstructed
mini-roundabout
is stuck at twenty to nine

rescued from the fallen tower
of the rubber factory
demolished in favour
of an estate of yuppie houses
its four faces
seem forlorn

in the taxi
returning from the supermarket
the first bee of the year
buzzes lethargically
unthreatening
this cold spring day

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 5th April 2006

Unpublished

(p18)

chopped a neighbour's tree the cherry remains

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 4th April 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(y10)

town hall steps three frozen pickets protest the rain

© Gerald England

Composed: Hyde, 28th March 2006

Publication

2011 A Hundred Gourds (Internet)

(p17)

overnight rain two dozen daffodils finally sprung

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 27th March 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p16)

spring forward an hour and another hour to change them all

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 25th March 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p15)

somewhere in the memory a green field

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 22nd March 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p14)

today tentative steps towards ...

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 19th March 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(as3)

almost spring
the moon at apogee
snow on daffodils

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th March 2006

Publication

2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

*****aproape primavera
luna la apogeu
zapada pe narcise

Gerald England
in Romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe

Unpublished?

Yorkshire haiku 12

t' old allotment
diggin early tatties
granddad sweats

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th March 2006

Publication

2012 Yorkshire Dialect Society Summer Bulletin (UK)

Yorkshire haiku 11

shufflin dahn t' prom
wi a bag o fish an chips -
vinegary kisses

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th March 2006

Publication

2012 Yorkshire Dialect Society Summer Bulletin (UK)

Yorkshire haiku 10

New Year's Day
a bud unfurls itsen
on t' cyclamen

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th March 2006

Unpublished

Yorkshire haiku 9

Kessmus day
thru r' cemetery raihlins
holly berries poak

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th March 2006

Unpublished

Yorkshire haiku 8

stuck i' a jam
lass chucks t' roahd atlas
aht a t' sunroof

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th March 2006

Publication

2012 Yorkshire Dialect Society Summer Bulletin (UK)

Yorkshire haiku 7

warmh October
cahncil sweeper cleears leeaves
t' wind blahs em back

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th March 2006

Unpublished

(p13)

spring clean in the garden muck remains

© Gerald England

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p12)

yellow and blue two little crocuses by the church wall

© Gerald England

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p11)

keeping her head down march winds

© Gerald England

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p10)

before leaving a last pint at the "swan-with-two-necks"

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 5th March 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p9)

openly looking for spring here there

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 3rd March 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p8)

under willow St. David's Day a sign

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 1st March 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p7)

shopping village cold rain beats down down

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 27th February 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p6)

February tree rat on neighbour's fence

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 21st February 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p5)

spring morning worms are where the ouzel waits

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 22nd February 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku

Hiding Place

HIDING PLACE

From his hiding place
he looks through a window
where snow flurries flicker
forming the logo for
agoraphobics anonymous.

No car sits now
on the cracked-up drive
ready to be leapt into
and driven for miles
into the hills for escape

He wanders the world
punching postcodes
into Google Earth
or planning a route
from Tblinsk to Timbuktu.

Deleting countless spams
filling the dishwasher
updating the anti-virus
microwaving lunch
all necessary chores.

Yet once in a while
intrepid he flees away
finds another sun
digitally captures
colours and moods.

And on his return
shares moments of rapture
with the thousands
who hide behind
their own little windows.

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Gee Cross, 22nd February 2006

Publication

2011 Envoi (UK)

(p3) as the yokel said to the tourist

as the yokel said to the tourist

if you want to get there
you shouldn't really start
from here!

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th February 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku

(p2)

out of Manchester spring is ahead somewhere

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th February 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(p1)

spring fever
leads to hiccoughs
unthinking

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th February 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku

(tn15)

island marina where the ships don't pass wild flowers

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th February 2006

Publication

2006 Ukku Spring Haiku (Internet)

(tn14)

conveyor belt
a horde of humans pass
the penguins watch

© Gerald England

Composed: Reina Sofia, 8th February 2006

Unpublished

(tn13)

red sailboat at the side of the motorway by a bus stop

© Gerald England

Composed: Abede, 7th February 2006

Publications

2006 The Sons of Camus Writers International (Canada)
2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(tn12)

overcoats strewn on hotel lobby cases the weather back home

© Gerald England

Composed: Playa de las Americas, 7th February 2006

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(tn11)

February night
next to the tropical moon
Mars clearly

© Gerald England

Composed: Playa de las Americas, 5th February 2006

Publication

2006 Time Haiku (UK)
2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

*****
Noapte-n februarie
langa Luna tropicala
Marte clar

-Gerald England (U.K.)-

(in romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe)

Publication

2006 Festivalul de Cosmopoezie (Internet)

(tn10)

hillside terraces hang uncultivated between land-slips

© Gerald England

Composed: Las Portelas, 5th February 2006

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(tn9)

among dunes across the old crater snow and stones

© Gerald England

Composed: El Portillo, 5th February 2006

Publications

2006 Time Haiku (UK)
2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(tn8)

forest of fir
looking down on white cloud
a pine cone falls

© Gerald England

Composed: Vilafor, 5th February 2006

Publication

2006 The Sons of Camus Writers International (Canada)

(tn7)

the two girls lay down towels to claim their poolside places

© Gerald England

Composed: Playa de las Americas, 5th February 2006

Unpublished

(tn6)

on the roof outside the nudist zone topless sunbathers

© Gerald England

Composed: Playa de las Americas, 4th February 2006

Publications

2006 The Sons of Camus Writers International (Canada)
2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)
2007 Ginyu (Japan)

(tn5)

skateboard park iron bars at the entrance to the church

© Gerald England

Composed: Playa de las Americas, 4th February 2006

Publications

2006 The Sons of Camus Writers International (Canada)
2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(tn4)

country music club
across from its burnt-out shell
a hedge of purple

© Gerald England

Composed: Playa de las Americas, 4th February 2006

Publication

2006 The Sons of Camus Writers International (Canada)

(tn3)

purple flowers opposite burnt-out remains of mini-golf

© Gerald England

Composed: Playa de las Americas, 4th February 2006

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(tn2)

two palm tree a ladies old bicycle parked between

© Gerald England

Composed: Playa de las Americas, 1st February 2006

Publications

2006 Time Haiku (UK)
2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(tn1)

lift music wafts down the corrider into our rooms

© Gerald England

Composed: Playa de las Americas, 4th February 2006

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(as1)

Ogling a cold earth
twenty-thousand light years off
in the Milky Way

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 26th January 2006

Publication

2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

*****
ochind un pamant rece
doua's'demii ani-lumina-n
Calea Lactee

-Gerald England (U.K.)-

(in romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe)

Publication

2006 Festivalul de Cosmopoezie (Internet)

Haibun 060125 (y3-y9)

As I walk through the cemetery on my way to the dentist, I notice several yellow triangular signs
this memorial
is unsafe -- do not tamper
with its support
and elsewhere
gravestones laid flat
lest they fall upon
the living
As I step smartly on I ponder if I'm early or late for my appointment but
the town hall clock
is stuck on half past eight
today or last night?
The dentist has finally acceded to the directive of over a year ago that all businesses should be made accessible to mobility impaired clients
climbers are warned
of the presence of a stair-lift
still cardboard-wrapped
After the dentist I go shopping in the supermarket
the check-out girl
puts too many heavy items
into a single bag
On the way home
traffic-lights down
drivers look out for each other
vehicles flow freely
The taxi-driver answers my earlier query. Parts of the town centre have been without electricity since last night. He tells me about a town in Holland where they have removed all traffic lights and road markings. The traffic is flowing 30% more freely than before!
a loose melon
rolls out of its plastic bag
as the taxi corners

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 25th January 2006

Unpublished

(y1)

toasting the new year
with a glass of last year's wine
and a mince pie

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 1st January 2006

Unpublished

Waiting Backwards

WAITING BACKWARDS

zealously guarding his innermost thoughts
yellow crocuses in a vase
xeroxing plans for a party
winter storms keep the ferry in port
vacuuming the carpet her latest fetish
under lock and key his collection of used underwear
tempted by the salesman's offer

surrendering her endowment policy
resolving the argument in adjacent beds
quaint tearoom serves hard cake
preparing for work the stripper gets all dressed up
only one customer through the door of the pub with no beer
neon lights above the bordello
master cueman escapes the snooker
licking his lips at the bride's first meal
kingfisher hovers over the motorway
january sales brings traffic gridlock
in the gallery next to the nude a portrait of mary
holy mountain hell for climbers
gulls wheel behind the cruise liner
fog-bound passengers phone their loved ones
early morning terrier barks at the milkman
dreading the needle a middle-aged man shivers
caught short the little girl squirms mother looks cross
blue flowers in a vase are starting to wilt
always the long wait to see the doctor

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 31st December 2005

Publication

2006 Shadow Train (Internet)

(n30)

blue shimmer
within the holly hedge
a discarded bike

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 25th December 2005

Unpublished

(n29)

Christmas day
through the cemetery railings
holly with berries

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 25th December 2005

Unpublished

Mid-December

MID-DECEMBER

A full moon shines
over the morning frost;
the lanes are full of late-fallen leaves;
walking across the mulch
is almost as tricky
as treading over ice.

In town the carol-singers are in
crowding the shopping-mall,
while a group of muffled musicians
play by the outside market.

This year but two robins
on the early christmas cards;
the squirrel still runs along the fence
skirting our newly-erected shed.

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th December 2005

Publication

2007 Famous Poets and Poems (Internet)
2008 The Seventh Quarry (UK)
2008 Poem of the Day Podcast (Internet)
2008 Canada Pine (Internet) [unauthorised publication]
2009 God's Own Country (Internet) [unauthorised publication]
2010 Nordinho (Internet) [unauthorised publication]
2010 Bradwell Bugle (Internet) [pdf file] [unauthorised publication]
2010 The Real Handbag Shop blog (Internet) [unauthorised publication]
2010 Metro Run & Walk (Internet) [unauthorised publication]
2010 NorthWest Native Plant Journal (Internet) [pdf file] [unauthorised publication]
2011 Today with J P Ronan (Internet) [unauthorised publication]
2011 Within 4 hours reach (Internet) [unauthorised publication]
2012 Your Daily Poem (Internet)

There are several other unauthorised publications to be found on the internet - several sites have cloned all the work on the Famous Poets site. Some of those sites appear to harbour malware.

(n26)

a mile away
the roar of the crowd
at the match

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 26th November 2005

Unpublished

(n25)

a curled cat
on the car's bonnet
frosty afternoon

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 26th November 2005

Unpublished

(n21)

still tasting
the whale-meat pizza
in Nuuk

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th September 2005

Unpublished

(n20)

5p coin on ground
I pause briefly decide
not worth bending

© Gerald England

Composed: Hyde, 16th September 2005

Unpublished

(n19)

pip's coffee house
pert-breasted waitress
wipes the table

© Gerald England

Composed: Callander, 7th September 2005

Unpublished

(n18)

on the cobblestones
of the riverside path
a white feather

© Gerald England

Composed: Callander, 4th September 2005

Publications

2005 Poetry Scotland (Internet)
2006 Haiku Hikes (Internet)
2016 CALLANDER HAIKU (Callander, Diehard)

(n17)

ducks ripple
through an alder's reflection
babies follow

© Gerald England

Composed: Callander, 4th September 2005

Publications

2005 Poetry Scotland (Internet)
2006 Haiku Hikes (Internet)
2016 CALLANDER HAIKU (Callander, Diehard)

(n16)

Ben Ledi
ignored by Munro-baggers
low mist

© Gerald England

Composed: Callander, 4th September 2005

Publications

2005 Poetry Scotland (Internet)
2006 Haiku Hikes (Internet)
2016 CALLANDER HAIKU (Callander, Diehard)

(n15)

how many bells?
low walls and distant hills
echo back

© Gerald England

Composed: Callander, 4th September 2005

Publications

2005 Poetry Scotland (Internet)
2006 Haiku Hikes (Internet)
2016 CALLANDER HAIKU (Callander, Diehard)

(n14)

prodigal daughter
barbecues aubergines
blue smoke

© Gerald England

Composed: Callander, 3rd September 2005

Publications

2005 Poetry Scotland (Internet)
2006 Haiku Hikes (Internet)

(n13)

book launch
passing ice-cream eaters
pause to look in

© Gerald England

Composed: Callander, 2nd September 2005

Publications

2005 Poetry Scotland (Internet)
2006 Haiku Hikes (Internet)
2016 CALLANDER HAIKU (Callander, Diehard)

(n12)

train halted
across the Firth of Forth
Fife lies

© Gerald England

Composed: Edinburgh, 1st September 2005

Publications

2005 Poetry Scotland (Internet)
2006 Haiku Hikes (Internet)

(n11)

bus not due
making a pot of tea
last an hour

© Gerald England

Composed: Denby, 26th August 2005

Publication

2012 Bolts of Silk (Internet)

(n6 - n10): a casualty sequence

sunday morning
the taxi to hospital
takes the scenic route

***

back with coffee
she's already gone
to x-ray

***

waiting again
i finish off
her luke-warm coffee

***

large adverts
for compensation lawers
on waiting-room wall

***

no bones broken
keep on taking the tablets
go home and rest

© Gerald England

Composed: Ashton under Lyne, 31st July 2005

Unpublished

(n5)

beyond icebergs
snow-pocked peaks rise
out of the fog

© Gerald England

Composed: Davis Strait, 12th July 2005

(n4)

alongside us
white-headed birds skim
over the waves

© Gerald England

Composed: off Kap Farvel, 9th July 2005

Unpublished

(n3)

dolphins leap
seventeen miles away
our first iceberg

© Gerald England

Composed: Irminger Havet, 9th July 2005

Unpublished

(n2)

Ireland bound
we leave the dark clouds
over Wales

© Gerald England

Composed: Irish Sea, 6th July 2005

Unpublished

(n1)

out from under
a ceiling of dark blue cloud
we sail into sunshine

© Gerald England

Composed: Irish Sea, 6th July 2005

Unpublished

(e46)

above the cut
two fishermen talk
on mobile phones

© Gerald England

Composed: Croston, 26th May 2005

Unpublished

(e45)

stuck in a jam
she throws the road atlas
through the sunroof

© Gerald England

Composed: Chorley, 6th May 2005

Unpublished

(e44)

next to the golf course
a field full of sheep
and magpies

© Gerald England

Composed: Poulton le Fylde, 6th May 2005

Unpublished

(e43)

teenager
running for the bus
toast in hand

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 6th May 2005

Unpublished

(e42)

since breakfast
the snail on the window
half an inch higher

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 1st May 2005

Unpublished

(ll9)

in formation
fourteen swans land
at the pond

© Gerald England

Composed: Llandudno, 12th April 2005

Publication

2011 Shamrock (Internet)

(ll8)

model-boating lake
the gulls keep their distance
from the swans

© Gerald England

Composed: Llandudno, 10th April 2005

Unpublished

(ll6)

a single gull
on the bus shelter
nobody waiting

© Gerald England

Composed: Llandudno, 10th April 2005

Publication

2007 Ginyu (Japan)

(ll5)

atop the teapot
our breakfast butter
defrosting

© Gerald England

Composed: Llandudno, 10th April 2005

Unpublished

(ll4)

afternoon low tide
the westerly wind
whips sand duneward

© Gerald England

Composed: Llandudno, 8th April 2005

Unpublished

(ll3)

jumping the seawall
half a dozen billygoats
on the beach

© Gerald England

Composed: Llandudno, 8th April 2005

Unpublished

(ll2)

pregnant teenager
no sooner off the train
than she lights up

© Gerald England

Composed: Frodsham, 7th April 2005

Unpublished

(ll1)

playground empty
under a nearby bridge
two youths frolic

© Gerald England

Composed: Warrington, 7th April 2005

Unpublished

(e41)

above our lawn
two wood pigeons
bill and coo

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 15th March 2005

Unpublished

(e37)

promenade deck
I watch the Perseids
light the sky

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 26nd February 2005

Unpublished

*****
[Romanian translation by Andrei Dorian Gheorge]
text not found

Publication

2005 SARM (Internet)

(e35)

reservoir edge a flock of yellow wagtails

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 21st February 2005

Unpublished

(e23)

her new false teeth
"they're not for eating with
just for looking at"

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th January 2005

Unpublished

Three Perseid Haiku

through the Milky Way
the tears of St Lawrence
streak

a dusky filament
drifts across Earth's orbit
raining light

boiled off a comet
thousands of years ago --
august fireworks

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 10th January 2005

Unpublished

*****
Chiar daca au maximul de activitate in august, Perseidele sunt un subiect de interes tot anul, avand in vedere faptul ca, dupa declinul Leonidelor, au ramas cel mai important curent de meteori.
Iar farmecul rezonantei lor sporeste parca atunci cand o personalitate de talia lui Gerald England, membru de onoare al Asociatiei Internationale a Scriitorilor si Artistilor, precum si editor al excelentului grup de publicatii New Hope International, dedica Perseidelor cateva creatii. (Andrei Dorian Gheorghe)

TREI HAIKU-URI DESPRE PERSEIDE
~de Gerald England~
(in romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe)

*
prin Calea Lactee
lacrimile Sfantului Laurentiu
picura lung

*
un filament de praf
pluteste peste orbita Pamantului
plouand lumina

*
fierte-n afara cometei
de mii de ani-
artificii de august

Publication

2005 SARM (Internet)

(e19)

[text mislaid]

Composed: Hyde, 8th January 2005

Publication

2005 Haiku Scotland (UK)

(e17)

next door's cat circumlocates our shed sniffing squirrel

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 18th December 2004

Unpublished

(e16)

hailstones --
on our neighbour's cherry tree
a string of lights

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th December 2004

Publication

2011 Shamrock (Internet)

(e15)

new bus station
20p to spend a penny
i cross my legs

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 14th December 2004

Unpublished

(e14)

forty years married
no two dinner plates
the same pattern

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 2nd December 2004

Publication

2011 a hundred gourds (Internet)

(e13)

curtains ajar
at the top of our stairs
moon in cloud

Composed: Gee Cross, 21st November 2004

Unpublished

sijo 9

who is this a-tap-tap tapping at the window?
as I open the curtains to a still grey autumn day,
the rose-bush shakes at the departure of a dozen tits

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 14th October 2004

Unpublished

(e11)

October wind
straggling willow branches
wrap round each other

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 2nd October 2004

Unpublished

tanka 38

a man's boot
on top of the bus shelter
someone
is footloose on their way
out of Manchester

© Gerald England

Composed: Denton, 28th September 2004

Publications

2005 Anglo-Japanese Tanka Society (Internet)
2005 Poetryetc (Internet)

(zip2)

[text mislaid]

Composed: Gee Cross, 14th September 2004

Publication

2005 Haiku Scotland (UK)

sijo 8

the spider's web is strung between two wheelie bins
after I move one ready for tomorrow's collection
she still clings to the middle of a dusty line

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 7th September 2004

Publication

2005 Outlaw (UK)

(e8)

another four
to the square-leg boundary
one more run to win

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 2nd September 2004

Unpublished

i.m. Cid Corman

somewhere
between Venus
and Mars
there is an earth
that moves

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 11th August 2004

Publication

2005 Poetry Writing (Internet)

tanka 37

the only castle
from which Mary Queen of Scots
escaped
in front of it now
a Safeway superstore

© Gerald England

Composed: Dumbarton, 23rd June 2004

Publication

2004 Blithe Spirit (UK)

(s408)

northern summer
the sky not dark enough
to see Jupiter

© Gerald England

Composed: Largs, 25th June 2004

Unpublished

*****
vara nordica
cerul nu-i intunecat destul
sa vezi Jupiter

Gerald England

(in romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe)

Publication

2004 SARM sporadicastroumanism (Internet)

(s407)

on the lawn
at the distillery
an oystercatcher

© Gerald England

Composed: Lochranza, 24th June 2004

Publication

2004 Blithe Spirit (UK)

(s406)

TV switched off
she hears the tick
of the clock

© Gerald England

Composed: Largs, 22nd June 2004

Publication

2011 Blithe Spirit (UK)

tanka 36

after thirty years
we still argue which turn
to take
but we always end up
somewhere or other

© Gerald England

Composed: Largs, 21st June 2004

Publication

2005 Anglo-Japanese Tanka Society (Internet)

(s405)

longest day
a sliver of moon
and a wispy cloud

© Gerald England

Composed: Largs, 21st June 2004

Publication

2004 Blithe Spirit (UK)

*****
zi mai lunga
numai o aschie de luna
si un snop de nori

Gerald England

(in romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe)

Publication

2004 SARM sporadicastroumanism (Internet)

(s404)

shoreline
a small bird wades --
it isn't a gull

© Gerald England

Composed: Largs, 20th June 2004

Unpublished

(s403)

balmy morning
on to seaweed and rock
gentle waves lap

© Gerald England

Composed: Largs, 20th June 2004

Unpublished

(s402)

sunday morning
both ferries tied up
by the pier

© Gerald England

Composed: Largs, 20th June 2004

Publication

2004 Blithe Spirit (UK)

(s401)

shore side
of the putting green
the smell of kelp

© Gerald England

Composed: Largs, 20th June 2004

Publication

2004 Blithe Spirit (UK)

(v16)

outside Asda
on the bus shelter roof
a fat seagull

© Gerald England

Composed: Llandudno, 4th June 2004

Unpublished

The Market

THE MARKET

only the shell
of the building
remains
the most-loved market for miles around
reduced to ashes
a hundred traders
now with nothing
Total Games
Wendy & Mandys Cafe
Dels Suits
Traditional Sausage Co.
Scottish Meats
Seaking Fisheries
W Briggs Butchers
Alf Pearson Family butcher
David Conn Traditional butcher
Rothwells Furniture
Market Newsagent
A & B Sportswear
Bennetts Fancy goods
Eileen's Egg Nest
The Phone Corner
C D S Textiles
Phil's Antiquarian Books
Bailey's Hardware
Hats & Things
Rudies Snack Bar
Cherubs Specialist Christening wear
Victoria's Lingerie
Stall On The Wall Ladies & Gents Outdoor Wear
Grahame & Gordon Haberdashery
Celebrations Cards & Novelties
Pick Of The Crop
Alwyn's Underwear Stall
Goody Two Shoes
B & G Fashions
Chris's Vac & Washer Service
M.C.S Uniforms
The Toffee Box
The Music Corner
Curtain Corner
The Traditional Food Stall
Pick Of The Crop
Junior's Childrens wear
S.Williams & Sons Cafe
Elaine's Jewellers
The Off License
Body Bitz
Shades DIY
Walker's Greengrocers
Hussein's Sportswear
Brooks Hosiery & Swimwear
S Williams & Son Home Cooked Meats
Cards Galore
J.R Fashions
Mobile Revolution
Linda's Cosmetics & Perfume
Bradbury's Gloves, Scarves, Handbags & Umbrellas
Renwick's Bakery & Handcarved Meats
A & Y Brierley Footwear
Naeem's Ladies Fashion
Longdens Toys
Brian's Quality Furnishings
Brooks Underwear
Gifts For All Occasions
Phones 4 Us
A+A Videos
Cafe Nadin
J & L Bargains
The Sports Box
Spec Tackle
Paws and Claws
Camina Bags
Ashton Hall Carpets
Craven's Shoe Repairs
Morgan's China
The Bedding Box
Bailey Health Products
Joe & Sons Jeweller & Watch Repairs
Bailey's Hardware & Electrical
Bobby Fashions
Barry Gleave Biscuits, Sweets & Cakes
Cassons shoes
Redmonds Butcher & Delicatessen
B O'Donoghue Butcher
G. Fish Specialist Cooked Meats & pies
J. McClean Biscuits & Cakes
Here's Health Herbal Remedies
Hallworth's Cheese & Dairy Produce
K McDermott Danish Bacon Specialists
The Pantry
Chicken Barbecue
The Hen House
Shopmobility Wheelchairs & Scooters
none of it left
no sprinklers
no insurance
no recompense
no one died
so only rates
a brief mention
on the local
not national news

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 26th May 2004

Publication

2004 Drunken Boat (Internet)

(v12)

one night stand?
she wakens to the whiff
of bacon and eggs

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 23rd May 2004

Unpublished

(v11)

down the prom'
sharing fish and chips --
vinegary kisses

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 23rd May 2004

Unpublished

(v9)

across light years
googols of radio waves
oscillate

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 15th May 2004

Publication

2012 Cosmopoetry (Internet)

(v7)

crofter's field --
over the newborn lambs
bonxies circle

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 18th May 2004

Unpublished

(v4)

cleaning my teeth --
the spider disappears
down the plughole

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 8th May 2004

Unpublished

(v3)

twilight
an incoming jet flies by
Venus twinkles

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 6th May 2004

Publication

2012 Cosmopoetry (Internet)

The Hours from Dawn to Dusk

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 28th April 2004

Publication

2004 The Drunken Boat (Internet)

(v2)

late april sun --
everywhere the hum-hum
of lawnmowers

© Gerald England

Composed: Hyde, 24th April 2004

Unpublished

An Ordinary Day

AN ORDINARY DAY

I open the lounge curtains
to find a blotch on the window
it has arrived in the night.
Later in the morning
it is still there.
I use a discarded note to the milkman
to lever away the tiny snail
depositing it in the bobbing hydrangea.

As I fill the kettle
my eyes meet those
of the grey squirrel
on the little fence
a yard beyond the kitchen window.
It looks away and scurries quickly
down my neighbour's garden path.

In the back garden beyond ours
a fat tabby prowls
as a wood pigeon settles on the roof.

After the rain
I watch a blackbird
digging worms
out of the recently mown lawn.
It eyes me too
but is in no hurry
to wander under the willow tree
and into the hedge bottom.

In the bathroom today
the spider
is nowhere to be seen.

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 21st April 2004

2004 The Drunken Boat (Internet)

(v1)

relentless rain --
the window-cleaner's not been
to collect his fee

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th April 2004

Unpublished

Grey Wednesday

GREY WEDNESDAY

the wheelie-bin sits on the pavement
waiting all day for the bin-men who do not come

I carry the phone around in my shirt pocket
waiting all day for my calls to be returned

the postman does not come till nearly one

like an umbrella
the willow tree hangs low
over wilting daffodils

grey day turns to grey evening

© Gerald England
Composed: Gee Cross, 14th April 2004

Publication

2004 The Drunken Boat (Internet)

(t50)

in "outpatients"
a hospital drama plays
on the TV

© Gerald England

Composed: Ashton under Lyne, 13th April 2004

Publication

2004 OTHER (Spalding, British Haiku Society)

Spring Cleaning

SPRINGCLEANING

upstairs and downstairs
four hours in all
sparying
dusting
vaccing
polishing
dehoming spiders
sweeping out dead ants
from behind the tumble-dryer
unearthing an odd sock
two pieces of jigsaw
and an old toy car
tipping a vase of flowers
over the television
moving chairs
to find unfaded bits of carpet

after they've gone
we rearrange disturbed ornaments
search for the handpainted ashtray
that was under the vase
they knocked over
empty the dishwasher
and microwave a late lunch

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 7th April 2004

Publication

2004 The Drunken Boat (Internet)

(t49)

above the city
a police helicopter
encircling Venus

© Gerald England

Composed: 6th April 2004

Unpublished

*****
crepuscul
un avion vine zburand
pe licaririle lui Venus

Gerald England
(in romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe

Publication

2004 SARM sporadicastroumanism (Internet)

(t48)

orange-tipped half-disc
peeps above thick mist
last sunset in March

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 31st March 2004

Publication

2004 The Drunken Boat (Internet)

(t47)

returning home
the cat comes to greet him
halfway down the street

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 27th March 2004

Unpublished

Mast

MAST

stark
sharp
sentinel
standing
on top of Winter Hill
illumined by the light
of the early morning sun
seen from my bedroom window
thirty miles away
for the first time
in twelve months
since the counci;
felled the trees
that blocked the view

one hour on -
the moor's outline
fades into the clouds

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 24th March 2004

Publication

2004 The Drunken Boat (Internet)

Wouldbesonnet for Spring

A WOULDBESONNET FOR SPRING

O to be where you are
now that Spring is here
uphill blows the wind
overturning wheelie-bins

under the bending willow tree
bright daffodils stand proud
hailstones rattle at the windows
the birds are nowhere to be seen

clouds scamper in the greydark sky
no sun no moon no stars
we turn the central heating up
put on an extra layer
pull curtains across the door
and wish we were elsewhere

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Gee Cross, 21st March 2004

Unpublished

The Webmaster Sleeps

THE WEBMASTER SLEEPS

and so the webmaster slept
dreaming of nested tables
in a whirlpool of jpegs
his gifs weren't interlaced
there was no longer any sense
in ordered lists
fonts changed size
headings failed to stack
dead links
spewed 404s
his body
was unsafe color
the clock ticked on
the alarm didn't sound
the sun shone through a window
hus style sheets fell off
and so he awoke

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 18th March 2004

Publications

2004 Soundeye (Internet)

A Snail Bounces

A SNAIL BOUNCES

So here I am
mid-morning
lounging on the lazyboy;
I've been up for hours,
had a shower,
done bacon and eggs,
checked my email,
cleared the spam,
picked the pinta
off the doorstep
as I greeted the postman,
brought the laundry down,
set the washing-machine;
so now I settle down
to listen to the video-recording
of last week's
"Just a minute"
on freeview digital radio --
the phone rings
and it isn't a distant call centre
selling a new mortgage
or telling of a holiday
I've won in a competition
I never entered
or of how my postcode
has come up on their computer --
I can be a show-house --
but this time
it is the secretary of a society
of which I'm a life member;
he wants to know
if I am still me
have I still
got a life;
seems the last issue
of the society's transactions
was returned
marked "gone away"
but I haven't,
I'm still here
and ready
for a fresh pot of tea

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th March 2004

Publications

2004 The Drunken Boat (Internet)
2005 Outlaw (UK)

Delia's New Dish

DELIA'S NEW DISH

Take a pair of ewes
a squeeze of bat's blood
marinate for 17 hours
in a vat of boiling ogre
filter through a gauze
made of webbing
wrought by the black widow
feed to the princess
if she be sick
sell her to the paparazzi
give the dregs
to an artist in leicester
for use in his next
exhibition

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th March 2004

Publication

2004 Soundeye (Internet)

TALLY-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

TALLY-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

That year we were caravanning near Stranraer.
A poster near the harbour tempted us.
An Ulster Bus tour to the Giant's Causeway.
The cost, less then the normal return ferry fare.
But it left at noon and returned at midnight.
We couldn't leave our chinese whippet
alone in the van all that time.
Meandering down some country lane,
we found ourselves on tracks in a wood.
The sign said "The Kennels".
It wasn't a commercial kennels
but the home of the Wigtownshire Hunt.
The keeper heard our story.
agreed to take in our dog the following day.
We went to Ireland,
surveyed the Antrim coast,
climbed the causeway.
The return ferry was late.
A points failure at Crewe
had delayed the mail-train.
The outgoing ferry had waited for it.
We rolled back to the caravan
at three in the morning.
Later we went to the kennels.
Our lazy dog hadn't slept with the hounds.
The keeper of the pack
had warmed to her soft eyes.
She had spent the night in his cottage.

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 13th March 2004

Publication

2004 Soundeye (Internet)

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY

overnight sprinkle of snow on shed roof
gone by seven-thirty
a flurry of flakes by eight
gives way to rain to sun to snow to rain to sun to snow to rain
the afternoon market is busy
cold shoppers shuffle into the warm mall
for tea and a toasted teacake
outside the stall-holders pack up early

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 10th March 2004

Publications

2004 The Drunken Boat (Internet)
2005 Outlaw (UK)

(t46)

this early morning
the cry of a pair of ducks
flying over

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 8th March 2004

Publication

2004 Blithe Spirit (UK)

Midnight:: a cat howls

MIDNIGHT: A CAT HOWLS

midnight: a cat howls
3 am: fox raiding an overturned wheelie-bin
6 am: milk-bottles rattle
9 am: horns blaring at several junctions
noon: schoolkids gather outside the chip-shop
3 pm: range-rovers on double-yellows
6 pm: the early evening news
9 pm: a watershed for walking dogs
midnight: a cat howls

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th February 2004

Publications

2004 Soundeye (Internet)
2006 Curlew (UK)

(t44)

over her bed
a line of seven
Welsh love-spoons

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th February 2004

Publication

2004 Blithe Spirit (UK)

OVER THE LAZY DOG

OVER THE LAZY DOG

over the lazy dog
jumps
a quick brown fox

animals bounding cautiously
data edited fiercely
gyros held immobile
jets killing livestock
memorials never overturned
proposals queried rigidly
semantics tersely usurped
vehicles waterlogged
xenias yearly zapped

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th February 2004

Publications

2004 Soundeye (Internet)
2010 The Seventh Quarry (UK)

They want the supermarkets to open until midnight

They want the supermarkets to open until midnight
but guess even the ushers are watching.
Bones whisper of throttled blue;
the starred fury of country images
when light betrays her nakedness
denying nothing but the obscure harmony of intricate muscles
like when he's going to the bottom of pretty flesh
amid hailstones which they swallow.
Red speaks of any nice thing
to force open human inconvenience
in the chaffinch-haunted wood
where cold hands knock against the war,
dizzy with Catherine-wheels.

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th February 2004

Publication

2004 Soundeye (Internet)

On the Wall

on the wall
behind the toaster
remnants
of a freshly-thrown
pizza

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 14th February 2004

Publication

2004 Soundeye (Internet)

tanka 35

Mars in Pisces
sickle moon and Venus
in Aquarius
fish pie for supper
this winter night

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 25th January 2004

Unpublished

*****
Marte in Pisces
secera Lunii si Venus
in Aquarius
placinta de peshte pentru cina
in aceasta n oapte de iarna

Gerald England

in romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe

Publication

2004 SARM sporadicastroumanism (Internet)

(t42)

after the snowstorm
briefly
a rainbow

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 24th January 2004

Publications

2004 Poetry Monthly (UK)
2004 Blithe Spirit (UK)
2004 SEASON'S GREETING NEWSLETTER (Mohammed H Siddique, USA)

(t41)

afternoon screech
four and twenty blackbirds
atop two trees

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 10th January 2004

Publication

2004 Blackbird (USA)

(t37)

for Francine Porad

steam on the windows
a panful of brussel sprouts
slowly simmers

© Gerald England

Composed: Hyde, 15th November 2003

Publication

2003 Mothertongued (Internet)

(t36)

for Francine Porad

the haijin's words
encircle the whole earth
in a moment

© Gerald England

Composed: Hyde, 15th November 2003

Publication

2003 Mothertongued (Internet)

tanka 34

bonfire night
stretches to a week
fireworks light up the clouds
that block the view
of the moon's eclipse

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 9th November 2003

Publication

2004 Astropoetica (Internet)

*****
noapte de foc in aer
extinsa in saptamana
artificii lumineaza sus norii
ce impiedica privelistea
eclipsei de luna

Gerald England
in romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe

Publication

2003 SARM (Internet)

sijo m7

all day
we heard the chain-saws hum
over the rooftops
two churches now in view
but when again
will we see the magpies flock?

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th November 2003

Publication

2004 Blithe Spirit (UK)