Barely noted in the annals of medieval churches because they were so common, these two orders were recruited from the Recent Dead. Concerned for their families or friends, they were given dispensation to hover quietly in the clouds above their previous home. It is said they were plump – both men and women; their eyesContinue reading “The Cloud Brothers and Ladies of concern”
Author Archives: Ian Stuart
Plum Autumn
blackened, withered, split
Photo of my father 1974
I found this photo between the leaves of a book. You can still feel sadness- even after all these years
Funeral Music
Four muted trumpet notes, the soundof darkness. Out of shadows comethe booted feet, the banners and the drumdriving them to the graveʼs edge.Black clad choirboys give a voice to pain.Torchlight can touch a cheek, tracefear and pity in a public face,but echoes fade to silence, and the nighttakes mourners and the mournedin its embrace.
Lakeside
Crows,still,silent shadows
Six
Six Haiku Thick books satisfy – a fat sandwich packed with madmen, lovers. Phone call A call from my son. I hear him smile down the phone. The house seems warmer. frozen puddles snap like toffee; ice cream cones melt to fir trees; lawns to lace. The road shines with frost. I walk stiff leggedContinue reading “Six”
The Ageing Dancer
The ageing dancer I used to dance a lot when I was small I swirled and leapt for my old Gran, whirled and leapt for her but now she’s dead, and I no longer choose the dance, control my limbs, the way I move. That’s all gone. I have to keep dancing until I die.Continue reading “The Ageing Dancer”
On the other side
Where have you been ?I’ve tried everything -email, Face Book, notespushed through the door. I tried a medium, a Ouija board.nothingsince that scrap of chip paperblown against the railings“All well. Arrived safe”scrawled on one corner.That’s no good to me.What’s Heaven like ?Are the angels lookers ?Who’s going to win the 2.15at Kempton ?And where’s thatContinue reading “On the other side”
Bookshop
A ghost of dust as the door opens. Battalions of books in line abreast, spines straight as ramrods, tight and bright as a drummer’s cordings. they gleam with polished leather and gold leaf all noble , each one touts their title. “Foreword “ they call to your eager ears and you will follow. Wait. TheirContinue reading “Bookshop”
5 Haiku
My phone spies on me – rings random strangers, just for fun, sniggers in my ear. There’s no business… Life? No rehearsal – improvise, work for the laugh – smile as the curtain falls. Book shop Shoulder to shoulder, wait to be bought, browsed, read, returned to the shop. The cafe has closed down –Continue reading “5 Haiku”
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