(b14)

holiday dream
asleep in the midday sun
anyplace

words and photo © gerald england, 2007

Composed: Gee Cross, 7th May 2007

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(b13)

an early morning
passage up this Northern sea
unknowns await

words and photo © gerald england


Composed: Gee Cross, 30th April 2007

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(b12)

flashing lights
the police helicopter
under Venus

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th April 2007

Publication

2007 Blithe Spirit (UK)

(b11)

homeward bound
why do we always choose
this bridge?


© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 11th April 2007

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

For information on the bridge check the link above.

A contribution to Sunday Bridges at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

(b10)

yellow on green
now the daffodils have died
dandelions roar

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 7th April 2007

Unpublished

(b9)

a pair of tits
sing a song of springtime
chit chum cherup

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 3rd April 2007

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(b8)

not yet Easter
jingle of an ice-cream van
round the estate

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 31st March 2007

Publication

2007 Spring Haiku (Internet)

(b7)

blood-red eyes
two images of the moon
this night

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 21st March 2007

Publication

2007 Cosmopetry (Internet)

(b6)

two magpies fight
from the roof opposite
a third watches

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th March 2007

Publication

2007 Spring Haiku (Internet)

(b5)

Cretean morning
in a house near the beach
mice may play

words and photograph © gerald england, 2007

Composed: Gee Cross, 12th March 2007

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(b4)

daffs in the lawn
everytime we count them
another total

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 10th March 2007

Publication

2007 Spring Haiku (Internet)

(b3)

March night
it isn't just the clouds
covering the moon

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 4th March 2007

Publication

2007 Spring Haiku (Internet)

(b2)

splashes of colour

in a Cheshire garden

gnomes for sale

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 27th February 2007

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(b1)

coming home to an expectant spring

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 23rd February 2007

Publication

2007 Spring Haiku (Internet)

(z48)

nighttime crowds
two trishaws cycle through
traffic gives way

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th February 2007

Publication

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)

(z47)

famous hotel
we pass by its entrance
sling our hook

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th February 2007

Publication

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)

(z46)

in the shopping mall
a fountain shoots sky high:
we finger sushi

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th February 2007

Publication

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)

(z45)

from the junk's deck
past dried-out mud-flats
the harbour beckons

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th February 2007

Publication

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)

(z44)

Singapore heat;
government buildings tower
above clean streets

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 17th February 2007

Publications

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)
2007 Ackworth born gone West (Internet)

(x24)

is it spring yet?
new shoots push on
regardless

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 2nd February 2007

Publication

2007 Spring Haiku (Internet)

(x23)

hailstones gather
on top of the wheelie bins
how long will they stay?

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 2nd February 2007

Publication

2007 Winter Haiku (Internet)

(x22)

January wind
one less sycamore
on the avenue

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 20th January 2007

Publication

2007 Winter Haiku (Internet)

(as15)

Photograph © Dave Whalley

sunset comet
i only see long distance
a friend's telescope

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th January 2007

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

*****cometa de amurg
vad o distanta lunga
telescopul unui prieten

Romanian translation by Andrei Dorian Gheorghe

Publication

2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(x21)

mid-morning
the fog rolls slowly in
softens bare branches

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 19th December 2006

Publication

2006 Winter Haiku (Internet)

(x20)

across the street
reflections of Christmas lights
across the street

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 16th December 2006

Publication

2006 Winter Haiku (Internet)

(x19)

photograph © Jay Blacksub-zero
preparations are in hand
for the curling match

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 2nd December 2006

Publication

2006 Winter Haiku (Internet)

(as14)

dark energy -
galaxies move apart
increasingly fast

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 2nd December 2006

Publication

2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

(as13)

image © Gabriel Ivanescubig Io cheers -
little Pluto gets kicked
into the Kuiper belt

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 26th November 2006

Publications

2006 Astravantgarde (Internet)
2006 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

(as12)

a saucer of milk
for the cat cowered
by the dog star

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 9th November 2006

Publication

2006 Meetings in Dejhagascar (Internet)

*****o farfurie de lapte
pentru pisica-nfricosata
de steaua caiinelui

Gerald England
(in romaneste de Andrei Dorian Gheorghe)

(x18)

bonfire night
every swoosh and spray
reminds

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 6th November 2006

Publication

2006 Winter Haiku (Internet)

(x17)

Halloween
gales gather all the leaves
into corners

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 31st October 2006

Publication

2006 Falling Leaves (Internet)

(x16)

mountain thunder
the sun over the sea
– double rainbow

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 9th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXXVI

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXXVI

she had her legs
firmly planted
in her own ground
her heart followed the wind
all around the world
gathering
foreign scents
it came home
like a pigeon.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 9th October 2006

Unpublished

Her Adventure

HER ADVENTURE

They said it was dangerous;
they said they would have to carry out a "risk-assessment" first.

They said it could be fun
but was it appropriate?

They said it might be painful
so requested a supply of suitable medication.

They said it might be joyful
and cautioned moderation.

She told them where to go
and off she went,
enjoyed the adventure,
returned with a happy heart.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 9th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXXV

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXXV

she hears the chug chug
of the train along the track
all she can see are
lines of light in the darkness
there is an odour of woodsmoke around
tinged with the fragrance of oranges
she feels herself shivering
and her toe ends tingle
salt seems to be settling
on the edge of her tongue

suddenly
she sits bolt upright
the train is still chugging along
she heaves a sigh of relief
and sleeps again.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 9th October 2006

Publication

2011 Envoi (UK)

Cretan Evening

CRETAN EVENING

There is flooding in Macedonia.
We watch the rescue efforts
on a small TV
in the corner of the taverna.
Two hours east in Heraklion
it is raining, we are told,
but heading across to Rhodes.
The moon in the West is full;
between clouds
we trace the constellations
and from the olive groves
hear the stridulation of crickets
serenading the sky.
The prediction for tomorrow
is uncertain.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 8th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXXIV

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXXIV

she travelled far
Japan, Vancouver
Switzerland, Tunisia
Casablanca, Khatmandu
always sent a postcard home
seeing places
she will never go to again
meeting people
she will never see again
but wherever she goes
she will always come home

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 8th October 2006

Unpublished

(x15)

anchored off an isle
they watch the sun set
behind a bigger

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 8th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXXIII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXXIII

she meets
a lot of people
she rarely
gets round
to saying
goodbye

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 8th October 2006

Unpublished

(x14)

home-grown honey stall
she sits with her back to traffic
faces the sea

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 8th October 2006

Unpublished

(x13)

above the quarry
a whole host of vultures
ride thermals

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 8th October 2006

Unpublished

Voukolies, Crete

VOUKOLIES, CRETE

an October Sunday
midmorning in the rain
old men sit at tables
outside half a dozen
different tavernas
their voices loud in discussion

midafternoon in the sun
the place is almost deserted
quiet rules

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 8th October 2006

Publication

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)

(x12)

two snails
climb a whitewashed wall
ants descend

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 7th October 2006

Unpublished

(x11)

the snake woman
loans an old man her stool
until his bus comes

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 7th October 2006

Unpublished

Hawks

HAWKS

hawk
on a hot tin roof
stares over hotel roofs and pools
at yachts sailing the blue Mediterranean

silently
a second hawk flies in
from the mountains

the first lifts off
shows the white underside of wings
and the two are away
together

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 7th October 2006

Publications

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)
2007 Ackworth born, gone West (Internet)

Dogs & Cats

DOGS & CATS

dogs lie asleep
everywhere

three guard the hens and sheep
on a farmstead
by the road to Xirocompi

another lies in the entrance
to the Handicraft Exhibition in Chania
just above the mosaic ramp

as the evening rush hour
clogs the street
motorbikes and pizza-delivery men
darting between spaces
one lies
oblivious to the noise
outside an electrical retailers

cats, on the other hand
either sit patiently
or scamper about
erratically

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 7th October 2006

Publication

2009 Crature Features (Cyprus)

tanka 39

under the sunset
a no longer young couple
see a sparkle
as the boat sails moonward
love is alive again

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 6th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXXII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXXII

she wonders
why she ever loved him
was it because he loved her
and she so wanted someone to love her
that she loved him
anyway?

now he is gone
she wonders
why she ever loved him

she longs to see him again
to find out why
but she also longs
not to see him again
fearing finding out

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 6th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXI

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXXI

she wasn’t there
when needed
she wasn’t needed
when there

emptiness fills her heart
she remembers the happy times
they are only memories
she remembers the angry moments
they have long been finished with
but the sadness
remains
and will not leave her

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 5th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXX

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXX

to reach the bells
she has to climb the tower

at first there is a stone spiral

at one stage
the height of the steps increases
she has to stretch her leg to reach

at another point
the handrail gives way
she has to push hard against the side walls

then the steps narrow
she has to climb sideways

halfway up there is a wooden platform
on which she feels safe

beyond is an iron ladder
but some rungs are missing

finally she can ring the bell

she is refusing to come down

the peel of the bells
is keeping villagers awake

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 5th October 2006

Publication

2011 Envoi (UK)

(x10)

a year on
still the warmth in her hand
that day

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 5th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXIX

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXIX


after years
of avoidance
to finally hit the water
slowly immersing
from toe to waist
o the joy
of the therapy pool

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 5th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXVIII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXVIII

to catch the sparrow
the cat must find its moment
else it has flown

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 5th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXVII

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXVII

hope lies
in the bright eyes of babies
that melt hearts

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 5th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXVI

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXVI

her light
is trapped
inside clouds
she cannot shine
like a star
one day it rains sorrow
but she is sodden
and unable to fall
one day the sun is happy
but she is blown along with the wind
and unable to fly
wonders
will she ever shine?

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 5th October 2006

Unpublished

Confessions Of Chrysthete XXV

CONFESSIONS OF CHRYSTHETE XXV

a small word
from the lips of a stranger
is all it takes

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 5th October 2006

Unpublished

(x9)

our road blocked
the sheep scratches its ear
before scampering

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 4th October 2006

Publication

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)

(x8)

our veal-chop
abandoned to a swarm
of wilful wasps

© Gerald England

Composed: Therisso, 4th October 2006

Published

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)

(x7)

at each turn
another view across
to Lakki church

© Gerald England

Composed: Zouvra, 4th October 2006

Published

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)

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)