is a torrent of turbulent tidesebbing and retreating its voice flows and scatters widesometimes gently whispering often wind-blasted and cruelembodying creatures living in its sunless depths some bright as jewelsothers as mysterious as something on a planet orbiting the dark reachesof space devoid of wind rain and sun on earth oceans crash on beachesas they […]
Month: March 2024
Gannet
Amid the balmy, briny breath,the whiff of wind-worn rockand washed-up bladderwrack, a great white birdemerges from the ocean. It’s a pterodactyl-like contraptionof hollow bones and feathers, buffetedby the coming storm. Puppeted, the gannet freezesmid-flight, a scribble torn between fantastic nacreous cloudsand foaming green waves,trapped in the anticipation of an early sea grave. Kim M. Russell, […]
On the Hill
On my first visit, looking from the Market,I imagined the body of Robert Ketthanging from its walls,a warning to the rebelswho stood up to wealthy landowners,against unfair land enclosures. I wandered up a mound dug by slaves,to an edifice built over Saxon graves,a symbol of Norman subjugation,to counter revolt and rebellion. Throughout history they rose […]
Ornamental
In our garden is an ornamental cherry tree, which has plenty of blossoms each year but bears no fruit. At the moment, there are buds on all the branches; I am waiting for the moment when they will burst open. outside the windowthe beginnings of blossomspring inspiration My plan for next weekend is to spring […]
Grappling with Ottavo Rima
In the quest for a sonetto rispetto,I rummage in the archives of my mind, whereI find the ghosts of poems to set fire toand let the words drift in the cold morning air.Words turn into iridescent birds, undomy heart, fray my resolve, challenge with a dareto grasp as many words as my hands can hold,write […]
Golconda
City gents without umbrellasfall from the sky like rain; I feel sorry for those fellas,bowler-hatted, dressed in grey, early for work in the morning,late home at the end of the day. Disenchanted gents are fallingpast suburban windows where their perfect wives are waiting,aprons on, scent behind ears, in their hands a glass of something,a peck […]
Natural Timepiece
Sharp-toothed leaves has the dandelion,a velvety yellow head;be wary of it in salad,you might end up wetting the bed. Image by Nick Nice on Unsplash Its petals open at seven,they close around four o’clock;if you blow on its seeds,you might even hear its tick-tock. Image by Fouad Roshan on Unsplash Kim M. Russell, 18th March […]
View from the Ochre Room
In his studio in the asylum at Saint Remy,the artist sets up his easel, takes a sheetof paper the size of a street poster (maybeit was once a poster), and attaches it,smooths it flat, arranges chalks, oils,watercolours and brushes.He chooses carefully, black chalkto sketch the window, a little off-centre.Light passes through the glass of jars,bottles […]
Safety in Numbers
I share my life with numbers,I share my secrets too,and numbers tell me everythingthat I need to know and do. I like to add up numbers,I like to take them away;I’m learning how to multiplyand divide them every day. I can rely on numbers,they can rely on me,but when I’m ready for bed,I much prefer […]
Sketches of Delft
The Dutch master at his canvas,holding palette and brush,is bathed in February gold.Delft rooftops are drenchedin the light of the golden dawndripping like honeyfrom a golden goblet.Skaters on still-frozen canalsbecome ice folliespainted in the lemon beautyof the sun’s split corona,a celebration of the fragility,the thin veil between winter and spring. Kim M. Russell, 12th March […]
writing in north norfolk 