As a linguist and English teacher,and even before, as a learner,I never had problems spellingor remembering the meaningof…things. Entering my seventieth year,signs of ageing have appeared.I have begun to trip and stumble,words no longer tumblefrom my fingers. My handwriting’s scribble,as if a dyslexic spider resides in my pen.What I type isn’t what I see on […]
Tag: dverse Poets Pub
Word Magic
What is this enchantment of wordsthat soar like birdsor hop from branch to branch?They are at their bestwhen they form their murmurationsand make morning declarations,feather fluttering,quietly mutteringon the wings of flight:a gift of magical inspiration. Kim M. Russell, 7th April 2025 This Monday we are writing quadrilles at the dVerse Poets Pub, and De is […]
Moon-Shaped
On a frosty night, stars careen, blow themselves to smithereens, and drift like snow in a symphony of moonlight. Play as if about to cry, suffused with inspiration: thrum strings of a moon -shaped guitar, pluck notes like butterflies, bones and birds. Chords have their own tongue. Words are not required, only the silver tunes […]
At last
April has arrived and we can open windows,breathe in grass-green scent and offer our skinto the sun. Daily walks are more comfortable,less chance of slipping; still we go slowly, handin hand, step to step, grinning at yellow facesof daffodils and primroses frilling up the verges.The piebald horse is at the top of the paddock.He shoves […]
I, Poet
I need to ease the itch of wordsthat wake me up at night,to sing in a different languagewith imagery and bite. I love to linger in poems whereno other poet has been yet,to feel a smile inside myself when other people get it. The poetichor of a poemcan drive me to distraction,like spring blossom dancingor […]
About Pigs
Don’t believe lies about pigs in muck;today’s pig is not tomorrow’s bacon;and don’t expect me to bring good luck. I love to swim in a cool clear oceanbeneath azure skies and gentle cumuli;most nights I’m tracking stars and planets – I really don’t like to boast about it unduly –I pride myself on my excellent […]
From Vienna to Bratislava
My husband and I have been to Vienna numerous times. It’s a home from home. We know our way around, where we like to eat and drink, and the places we love to visit. We had been on a boat trip around the city but not on the main stretch of the Danube – which […]
Real Life
I crunch them underfoot,the cockleshells and landslipof pebbles, among saltysparkles and guttural gullsswooping down to steal your chips. I overwhelm you with my scentof decaying seaweedand the thrill of rollercoastercliffs, from cuspate cragto hidden cove. I chase you down the beachtowards the waves,offering everything your sensestell you is honest and true.Now do you believe me? […]
Fresh Etchings
Nature has engraved the woodswith all the signs of spring.She’s left her mark on tiny buds,on blossom and the songbird’s wing.She’s greening trees and hedges,singing as she springs.Nature’s taken drops of sun and signedher name on everything. Kim M. Russell, 24th March 2025 This Monday, I’m hosting over at the dVerse Poets Pub with the […]
Giving Empathy the Boot
In shadows between tall buildings,the homeless huddle, unawareof the oligarchs’ stony stare,of hands that rub together, grinsof greed and lack of careas they survey their monopolyof wealth and goods, give empathythe boot in their quest for piecesin the game, doff top hats in sycophancyas they drive their cars and cruise on liners,wasting resources and killing […]