tanka 7

next door's cats gambol
on our patio, climb up
on to window sills
the dog watches them, her nose
twitching in indignation


© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Gee Cross, 27th September 1991

Publications

1993 Prophetic Voices (USA)
1995 The Tanka Journal (Japan)
1995 Quickenings (USA)
1998 LIMBO TIME (Hyde, New Hope International)

tanka 6

nibbling bushes in
the supermarket car park
four white nanny goats
as they turn, run, shoppers scream
manager playing cowboy


© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Ashton under Lyne, 18th September 1991

Publications

1994 Prophetic Voices (USA)
1998 LIMBO TIME (Hyde, New Hope International)

Stealing Kisses

              STEALING KISSES

              He loves pretty girls,
              singles them out,
              goes straight up
              and plonks a sloppy kiss
              on their hand or face or cheek
              and looks for the twinkle in their eyes

              Because he is small
              and handicapped
              and loveable
              and totally irresistible
              they hug him,
              cuddle him and kiss him.

              I am jealous of my son.

              If I tried the same,
              they would probably belt me;
              certainly his mum would.

             ©  GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Banchory, 11th August 1989

Publications

1990 The White Rose (UK)
1990 Bardoni (UK)
1991 Hybrid (UK)
1992 STEALING KISSES (Hyde, New Hope International)
1993 Prophetic Voices (USA)
1997 Cyberscribers (Internet)

(c10)

travelling towards
the thaw black mud and frozen
green thrust through the white

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: North Rode, 18th December 1981

Publications

1987 Red Pagoda (USA)
1990 Prophetic Voices (USA)

***

shiro no naka ni
midori oshidasu
yukige michi

© GERALD ENGLAND

Japanese translation by Sakuzo Takada

Publications

1987 Red Pagoda (USA)
1990 Prophetic Voices (USA)

(c9)

            

how the snow contours
branches; pockmarks furrows in fields
 the black stream cuts through

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Prestbury 18th December 1981

Publications

1987 Red Pagoda (USA)
1990 Prophetic Voices (USA)
1992 Candelabrum (UK)
1998 LIMBO TIME (Hyde, New Hope International)
2000 HAIGA (London, Suekichi Book)

***

yuki oou
nohara wo wakete
kawa kuroshi

© GERALD ENGLAND

Japanese translation by Sakuzo Takada

Publications

1987 Red Pagoda (USA)
2000 HAIGA (London, Suekichi Book)

(c8)

he spoke loudly so
that he could keep his hearers
some distance away

© gerald england

Composed: Oldham, 3rd May 1976

Publication

1990 Prophetic Voices (USA)

(c7)

it's not the pressure
that counts but whether it is
rising or falling

© gerald england

Composed: Oldham, 3rd April 1976

Publication

1987 Prophetic Voices (USA)

(c5)

from the fence he could
see either side but never
both sides together

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Oldham, 5th April 1975

Publications

1990 Prophetic Voices (USA)
1992 STEALING KISSES (Hyde, New Hope International)
1992 And What of Tomorrow (UK)

(c2)

a cabbage should not
be despised for at least it
continues to grow

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Droitwich, 23rd June 1974

Publication

1990 Prophetic Voices (USA)

[4e]

© Gerald England

Composed: Sheffield, 26th June 1973

Publications

1981 DADDYCATION (Ashton under Lyne, New Hope International)
1987 Prophetic Voices
1993 FOUR SQUARE REPLAY (Leeds, Krax)

[5e]

© Gerald England

Composed: Sheffield, 26th June 1973

Publications

1981 DADDYCATION (Ashton under Lyne, New Hope International)
1987 Prophetic Voices

[10b]

© Gerald England

Composed: Sheffield, 10th June 1973

Publication

1993 Prophetic Voices (USA)

[4d]

© Gerald England

Composed: Sheffield, 29th May 1973

Publications

1974 Osiris (USA)
1987 Prophetic Voices (USA)
1993 FOUR SQUARE REPLAY (Leeds, Krax)

To Joan

TO JOAN

The flow of the river at Ilkley
was slow
but the waters
quite steadily
moved

The warmth
of the October sun
was transitory

The plot of the play
was thin
but the acting was good

You too
put up a good show

Je ne regret rein

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Ackworth, 1st October 1971

Publications

1973 Sonnet (UK)
1991 Prophetic Voices (USA)
2005 The Spoon River Poetry Review (USA)

Movement

MOVEMENT

poets must move with the times he said -
i folded up my newspaper and walked

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Ackworth, 31st January 1971

Publications

1971 Bogg (UK)
1987 Pennine Ink (UK)
1990 Truly Fine (USA)
1992 STEALING KISSES (Hyde, New Hope International)
1993 Prophetic Voices (USA)
2005 Haiku Scotland (UK)