Arriving at the Gare du Nord, I disembark from the train to a guttural dawn chorus – I’ve heard that sound before. The morning platform’s cold, tinged with piss and alcohol. As I pass a street café, a newspaper hawker’s cry starts up the day and Gitanes and coffee grab me in a piquant embrace, […]
Scheherazade
night scents on a breeze breathing courage and magic fairy tale unfolds Kim M. Russell, 2018 My response to Carpe Diem #1338 The Arabian Nights In the first month of 2018, we are diving into the world of 1001 Nights and Japanese fairy-tales. We have started with Chèvrefeuille giving us the background to Scheherazade’s story. […]
Scrooged
I struggle with leftovers and dregs of good cheer; dinner repeats itself and Christmas tinnitus continues to ring in my ear. Although I vaguely remember many times that I’ve been here, I know that I will make the leap of faith into another year. Kim M. Russell, 2018 My response to dVerse Poets Pub Quadrille: […]
Banishing the New Year Blues
another new year full of hopes and promises remnants of the past suddenly a glimpse of green a blackbird sings a spring song Kim M. Russell, 2018 My response to Carpe Diem Weekend-Meditation #13 New Year’s Eve In the final episode of Carpe Diem Haiku Kai in 2017 the theme is New Year’s Eve. Chèvrefeuille […]
A Poet’s Manifesto
I must crack my knuckles and fill my pen with ink, not just to mark the page but to help me think. I must use my pen, wield it like a sword and cut through crap with sharpened words. I must write a skeleton, slice truth to the bone, rebuild it with flesh and hair, give […]
Blue
The sky is a palette of blue, empty of birds, only broken clouds sing their poignant tunes; mainland and islands chime loud with blues of their own; and the sea joins in with a harmony, an aquamarine melody to pilot a tired fisherman home. Kim M. Russell, 2017 My response to Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo […]
In the Fields
ancient warriors ghosts mists over the foreign highlands – waiting for the full moon © Chèvrefeuille graveyards become battlefields watered by the tears of stars in the fields with ripe rice plants for the Gods the sickle is used . . . © Takezaki Shisen slowly waxing sickle moon forecasts satisfied bellies white poppy it […]
More
city streetlights offset memories of rain with promises of more weather light and dark hot and cold another year of life together Kim M. Russell, 2017 My response to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads: Aspire Marian says to close 2017 on a high note, she has introduced us to one of her favourite new artists: […]
Elegance
elegant heron balancing on slender legs brushstrokes in the sky Kim M. Russell, 2017 My response to Carpe Diem #1336 Elegance Today is the last of December 2017’s regular episodes, in which we have explored the beauty of Paulo Coelho’s novels. Our inspirational quote is from The Witch of Portobello: “Elegance is the correct posture […]
In Pursuit of Dreams
a flurry of dreams approach with an open hand nets are for nightmares Kim M. Russell, 2017 My response to Carpe Diem #1335 pursue your dreams Today we have another quote from The Alchemist: “People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams because they feel that they don’t deserve them, or that they’ll be […]
writing in north norfolk 