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? […]

Chestnuts and Honesty

Lacklustre remains of chestnuts Nestle in messy mats of leaves And wind-dried crackling pods Marked by embryonic seeds. The forest floor’s fluorescent With early morning frost, Strung with brittle gossamer, Slippery with drips and trickles. The world awakes to winter bells: A glockenspiel of icicles. Kim M. Russell, 2017 – Ilmari Nen My response to […]

Christmas Honesty

In springtime, at the bottom Of my grandparents’ tiny garden, I would marvel for hours At a crowd of white and purple flowers: Grandad called them Lunaria. Together we would watch As the pretty petals perished, Leaving brown oval parcels. There was always a strong breeze, Blowing and rolling, Peeling back the wrapping To reveal […]