The coastline is a rugged spine of cliff, rocky ribs rise and fall with each breath of wind and wave that shift the distant skiff. Its feet are firm and solid in the depths of tides that loosen roots and bits of stones like rotten teeth; they tumble to the beach with salty water sucking […]
Month: January 2020
What She Told Her
She always knew the little dark-haired, brown-eyed child was her mother’s secret. She’d kept the outings in a stranger’s car, ice creams at the airport and seaside trips close to her chest, being only five or six, and loving mystery. When the baby arrived, nobody said a word. There were whispers behind closed doors. The […]
Such a Cold Night
lying down with quilts over the head such a cold night Basho warmth spreads to fingers and toes outside a frosty moon glows Kim M. Russell, […]
Mudlarking
After winter’s blast, a gang of us swarms the banks of the Thames beneath a leaden sky, picking our way through mud contaminated with sewage, slippery and sucking at our boots. We wear our hungry faces like masks, our hands red and purple from the icy wind. Occasionally, a cry goes up as someone skids […]
First Cry
after heavy snow bright daffodils and tulips a grandchild’s cry Kim M. Russell, 20th January 2020 My response to Carpe Diem #1801 New Beginnings: first cry In today’s challenge, the ‘first cry’ might be cry of a new-born human or an animal. Chèvrefeuille says that maybe, with super hearing, we might hear the first blossoms cry. […]
First Leaf Falling
a crimson leaf twirls among windfalls and mist the woods are rusting Kim M. Russell, 20th January 2020 My response to Carpe Diem #1800 New Beginnings: first leaf falling We have passed the half-way mark in our month of ‘New Beginnings’ and today our challenge is to create Japanese poetry on the theme of ‘first […]
Sketching with Shiki
sketching from life — eggplants are harder to do than pumpkins Masaoka Shiki shapely drops of glossy purple among rotund orange globes Kim M. Russell, 19th January 2020 My response to Carpe Diem Weekend Meditation #112 Transformation: sketching from life (Shiki’s Shasei technique) In this weekend’s […]
Preparatory Sketch – a poem in Visual Verse
I’m happy to have started the poetic year with a poem in the January 2020 issue, Vol. 7, Chapter 3 of the online Visual Verse anthology. You can find my poem on page 27 or you can link directly to the poem, entitled ‘Preparatory Sketch’. Also linked to Poets and Storytellers United Writers’ Pantry.
Sky-clad
the new-born arrives wrapped in stormy clouds and waves a precious life the new-born arrives with wrinkles and eyes shut tight an ancient soul wrapped in stormy clouds and waves long-awaited cry stirs a mother’s love a precious life the first part of their journey together Kim M. Russell, 17th January 2020 My response to […]
A Welcome Pause after December Rain
At the window, I watch a sparrow strip berries from the hedgerow. The magpie has ceased its chatter, contemplating things that matter before giving its opinions on the day. And now the sparrow has flown away. Except for a cat that gently purrs, I sit here at my desk alone, my fingers chilled to the […]
writing in north norfolk 