The Fields of Bosnia

THE FIELDS OF BOSNIA

The banks of the Danube
can be lonelier than outcast iron mines.
I saw nothing but
before the females in my family told us
she was back
and not terrified of the death.
But where cries the night
in rape to the shrieking rain?
We will lie anywhere.
Kataja threw her daughter's head;
held it as though scraping hell.
I crushed it into tatters.
A new demon rules Eden,
a leper nun who doesn't breed,
a brew reeking of loyalty.
I still don't live in mud because I have children.
I go without supper;
his meeting takes the chocolate eclairs domed with green
cattle are aimed at the bulging windows.
They say KEEP OFF;
this place between two pinnacles
of delectable phosphorescent green rocks
where a huge bird scuttles up towards Mostar blowing snow.
They roll in their bathing suits,
Their barrels smell of dirty blackness.
In the light so many wives attack him.
Two girls pass gripping a little old bed sheet.
He is a swirling mass of unhealthy tree, under the woman,
feeling sorry, shuffling along,
Men of the burnt fields grow instant whiskers;
meanwhile the sunny meadow is life.

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 19th June 1994

Publications

1999 Gravity (Internet)
2001 Blue Beat Jacket (Japan)

One Over

ONE OVER

It was the day of the tiger,
the re-enactment of Bannockburn,
the laundering of clothes
and the final assault over the hills.

The hens had become cannibals,
indicators failed to work,
the Priory remained silent
while children declared themselves — full!

Somewhere near Scotland's only lake
a rainbow appeared over the island.
She counted the colours, each one,
and found, not seven, but eight.

© Gerald England

Composed: Port of Menteith, 14th August 1989

Publications

1994 Minotaur (USA)
1998 Gravity (Internet)
2002 Iota (UK)