The metallic stench of blood slicks the rockand tickles the throat. No wonder snakes suffocate the silence with their incessant hiss.Some break away, alarmed by the cold kiss of death; some curl and spiral, others loopand tie themselves in knots. Spattered drupes of carmine, like red snakes’ eyes, gleam –Medusa no longer has the power […]
Category: Poems Inspired by Artists, Music and Other Writers
Dreams by Candlelight
I fell asleepin the pale heatand candle salve of twilight,nodding to an open book. In a pellucid questfor hallowed rest,my yellow dreamsploughed lucid farrowstowards the sunriseof my tomorrow. Kim M. Russell, 20th October 2020 My response to dVerse Poets Pub Poetics: The Charms of Samuel Greenberg Laura is back to host Poetics this week, with […]
Self-Cultivation During the Pandemic
I’m delighted to have another poem in Visual Verse Volume 7 Chapter 12. This time the ekphrastic inspiration came from an unusual image by Jemima Muir. As usual, my poem is in great company. You can find it on page 26 or you can go straight to ‘Self-Cultivation During the Pandemic‘. Linked to dVerse Poets […]
Grammar of Happiness
I remember you remember me remember when I lost my mind I remember it well making music making bread making money making my way downtown and then what and then the sun rave song and then we danced and then he kissed me poet for our times poet for hire poet for love poet wife […]
Ballad of Dark Beauty
Her dress of bombazine was wrappedaround her mottled body like a shroud,her hair was winter-dark, a raven trappedin the violent weir, so cold and loud. She lived apart, contemptuous and proud,believed to be a wanton witch, a lonelywanderer on the heath, at one with cloud,rain, moon and stars. She was the only night dancer on […]
Gentileschi’s Judith
You pin him down,you and your maid,in the dark shroud of the general’s tent. Oil lamp flareilluminates one bareshoulder, exposing the seductive skinand black hollow of your breasts;muscle-bound arms belie your femininity. Sweet revenge gives strength to slicethrough flesh, muscle and spine,fingers of one hand entangledin hair and beard,in the other handa sword. He offers […]
Figures in a Landscape
Many thanks to The Ekphrastic Review for including my poem in their latest Ekphrastic Writing Responses to a picture by Bertram Brooker. It’s called ‘Figures in a Landscape’ and it’s the fifth one down. I highly recommend reading all the responses, which are of a high standard, and I’m in excellent company with Merril Smith […]
Insects and Stars in Jars
I have a poem in this month’s issue of Visual Verse, in which writers have been inspired by an image by Helen Marten. Once again, I’m in excellent company. You can find my poem on page 45 of Visual Verse Volume 7 Chapter 11 or you can go directly to the poem, entitled ‘Insects and […]
Armageddon Revisited
The man said global warming was fake news,a conspiracy, a feeble attempt to screwa thriving economy. The man said it was fine to own a rifle or handgun,as long as it was just for fun, to carry onhunting without a care. The man said he needed more electricity,forget turbines, solar panels and the sea,go nuclear. […]
Ox Head
They said he was untameable and afraid of his own shadow,branded skittish with an ox head,none could soothe his rodeo. The gentling of Bucephalus began with the gentle whispersand flourished into fraternitywithout saddle, reins or spurs. They camped under starless skies,future king and Thessalian steed,faced the sting of metaland watched men bleed. Too many men and horses […]
writing in north norfolk 