Early Thoughts

Morning’s breathclouds the sky before birdsong.Where are the dreamsthat woke me up?I look for them in my teacupand find only the fading moon. Kim M. Russell, 28th April 2026 It’s Day 28 of NaPoWriMo and today’s optional prompt was inspired by Victoria Chang’s poem, ‘The Lovers’, which is “short and somewhat shocking, bringing us quickly […]

Come walk with me

on the sulphurous saltmarsh,where a skylark wavers on the breeze. Listen as it sings a duet with the reeds,an unbroken stream of song. Look up and watchits spectacular flight, the way it soars to heavenly heightsand then parachutes back down again. Now walk with me, back up the stony lane;let us two leave the marsh […]

The Gathering of Poems and the Writing on the Wall

In dreams, another poem’s formed in a darkand silent room for an anonymous anthology.Poems map the seasons, track winter’s ragingfloods and untarnished summer skies. Stanzasstep like dancers across page or screen butthe audience is voiceless. In the morning,while out walking, seeking inspiration, I finda stubby piece of chalk on the empty road,consider hopscotch, but there’s […]

My Poetry Diary

is not the same as my desk diary;it doesn’t contain appointments,birthdays and other mundane things. It’s a diving board to a sea of ideas,in which I can swim any stroke I want. I can float, deep dive, tread waterwhile I watch clouds pass by ortickle a dolphin. It’s a joy to explore! It’s a companion […]

Neon Dreams

Stippled glass refracts neongreen as a rock pool, sculpting our fluid teen-age bodies into punky shapes, miming Poly Styrene and Siouxsie.  “Just like dancing,” you saybehind your dark glasses. “I know,” I say,flashing with mine. We lean               against                            the                                  opaque bricks, watching light play catch-me-if-you-can. I dream we are neon mermaids,still untouchable and young, in […]

Unnamed

This island was mine;I lived alone with everything upon it,unnamed but known to me. Twanging music accompanied the lullabyof voices on the wind and waveswhen this island was mine. Now I collect sticks for firewoodand share the bounty of my isle,unnamed but known to me, with no hope of unconditional love,a gentle touch, a mate […]

Me Myself and I

Inner voice, you often journeyinto the surreal, you little noodle,slick with sauce and studded with onions. But then you shut me up with yourmiso soup and sensible saladsof harmony and simplicity. You mean sweet, crunchy,herbaceous alchemy! Let’s work together, create a symphonyof flavours, food for thought and possibility. Kim M. Russell, 22nd April 2026 On […]

Song of the Pick

choreographed                and synchronisedfeet placed firmly,                picks held highabove ochre earth,                stark and barea moment hangs                in the stifling airwhile muscles tense                and then releaseearth is shattered,                so is peacerocks split                and stones flymetal sings                and souls crysweat glistens,                teeth are clencheddust encrusted vests                are drenchedthe man just stands                hat on headhands in pockets                nothing’s said […]