The Crone Can’t Spell Anymore

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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? […]

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 […]