Published in ‘Physick’ (2016)
Here is her nest,
his stem-and-glass pride
lacquered in spiderspun silk.
And here my trickster friend
flairs his cardsharp hand,
her geisha flutter of fan. Continue reading “Cranky Fan”
Author: Pete Hay
Girl Reading Lorca at the Mirador San Nicolas
Published in ‘Girl Reading Lorca’ (2014)
Granada, Lorca writes,
draws to its ancient walls and waters
those of a temper
melancholic, contemplative.
At the Mirador San Nicolas
the coral white of the tower
unbearably focuses the day’s high heat
on the brown body of a woman
who sits reading Lorca. Continue reading “Girl Reading Lorca at the Mirador San Nicolas”
The Possums in the Book of Kells
Published in ‘Physick’ (2016)
‘A strange group of animals’. Mice perhaps,
or kittens perched bizarre upon adult backs.
That does stretch a long catgut, O my fuddled scholars!
They are not mice. Not cats. Not remotely. Soft-eyed,
wet- and sharp-snouted, prehensile-tailed, marsupialine,
these are the possums – the ringtails – of my ovata bush. Continue reading “The Possums in the Book of Kells”
An Oral History Interview with Alf Frimley, 97
Published in ‘The View from the Non-Members’ Bar‘ (1992)
In country towns, photos of sporting teams survive best.
The eyes are glazed hollow in this one,
As is the way, once they have died, with people in photos.
Arms pumped, stern-faced, the “Premiers ‘05” are demigods:
A chaos of townsmen rings them around,
Envious acolytes flaunting a delegated glory.
In one face living eyes shine young and keen
Amid the gaunt solemnity of those now dead. Continue reading “An Oral History Interview with Alf Frimley, 97”
Caucasian Haiku
Published in ‘Silently on the Tide’ (2005)
In any village
Massacres in muddy fields.
Sorrow-ridden lands.
Tanks roll here, roll there.
Geopolitical tides.
Gentleness of boys. Continue reading “Caucasian Haiku”