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Unpublished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Unpublished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Unpublished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Unpublished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Unpublished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