She spotted her on the ebb tide,in the narrow water of Dublin Bay, in the early morning crepusculeof an ordinary day, with tangles of sea foam in her hair – a mermaid or a water fay. She’d always wanted a soul sisterwith whom to dance and play; she wouldn’t feel so lonely,if she could convince […]
Tag: Tuesday Poetics
Cry of a She-Wolf
A flash of amber eyes in the forest twilight—I answer with a growl. In the crepuscular dawn of teenage-hood,I am tainted with the tang of menses moon, a howl of hair sproutingin unexplored places. Nobody told me about the sweetnessof explosions in the darkness, lit only by moonlight on wolfish teeth.Will I be a good mother? […]
Song of the Pick
choreographed and synchronisedfeet placed firmly, picks held highabove ochre earth, stark and barea moment hangs in the stifling airwhile muscles tense and then releaseearth is shattered, so is peacerocks split and stones flymetal sings and souls crysweat glistens, teeth are clencheddust encrusted vests are drenchedthe man just stands hat on headhands in pockets nothing’s said […]
Where Does Love Go
Did it evaporatewith the last remaining traces of his scent or with the smoke from the cigarette,the last from the crushed packet he left behind? She couldn’t stomach breakfast,and there were hours to cross until the island of lunch, and a rainy afternoon to get through,the rest of the day with only a stormcock for […]
imperious advice
don’t go swimmingin moon-stained seasif you dowatch out for monsters skimmingwaves and divingdeep below your feetonly to emerge and eatthemhowever feel freeto find which shapeyou want to bebut don’t assumeyou can comparewith the stars and the moonstay grounded Kim M. Russell, 7th April 2026 This Tuesday at the dVerse Poets Pub, Dora is hosting Poetics […]
Doughty
Among globules of hail a single purpleflower stands resilient to the chill: a grape hyacinth shivering amongdrooping daffodils. They bloomed too soon, their yellow hurrahs loud and blatant,nodding and dancing in March winds. When the sun arrived, stirring our winter-frozen hearts, we peeled off a few layers, exposed skin like petals unfurling,only to feel the […]
Padraig’s Snake
What ifa green snakehas lived inthe green grass all these years, despite changes to climate, hidden in the richness of its own colour,even whenfamine struck? Emerald,undulating and coiling but never striking, living its best life while Paddy is celebrated – he didn’t do a proper job. Perhaps he knew,thought he’d test faith, spice up mythology […]
March Morning in North Norfolk
Norfolk skies,broad and grey,weave anthracite clouds. A boat glides by,steel river wash,intrepid in its wake. The day drawsits morning breath,draws cackling roosting crows, draws mistacross greening fields,landscape’s waking womb. Kim M. Russell, 10th March 2026 This Tuesday, Dora is our host for Tuesday Poetics at the dVerse Poets Pub, and we are embodying the landscape. […]
non-sentences
less of the gloom a sunny afternoonno relentless windy roar no torrential downpourrandom non-sentences unwhole elevations of the soulre-arrangement of the mind’s furniture fragmented but purepeacefully ferment a magical momentconjuration of verse poetic conjuressmall comforts in lyrical spaces phrasal interfacesKim M. Russell, 3rd March 2026 Melissa is hosting the dVerse Poets Pub Tuesday Poetics this […]
Cinderella’s Lament
You might think I cry –it’s just dust in my eyefrom sweeping –I should have been writing –and my sisters aren’t so uglyif I squint through tears. They don’t have a poeticbone in their bodies,not even one that’s romantic,creative or artistic,which makes me wonder,how are we related? They never wash up,do the laundry, sweepthe floor, […]