silence made the curlew
listen
silence made the curlew
summer gave us swifts
death birthed the vulture
night bequeathed crowbird
love made the poet
heart yoked to pain
fever screamed an alibi
fire crept just the same
water marked the fall
stone grew the way
willow shed the answer
ocean captured day
love stared the darkness
heart unbuckled armour
fever fetched in madness
fire pulsed the sky
wall drew a history
moon swallowed hunger
shadow caressed the captive
blood grew only anger
pain sung the singer
hurt declined the sugar
whip denied clemency
peace sat alone
love forged the poet
heart forged the poet
fever forged the poet
fire
Nick’s poetry has appeared in various magazines and anthologies – most recently, the Poetry Salzburg Review, Verse Matters and Un/Forced: a collection of writing from Rhubarb. He helps to organise the open mic evening, Rhubarb at the Triangle in Shipley, the last Wednesday of each month. Nick derives most of his sustenance from malt whisky and good espressos.
Nick’s first pamphlet, the necessary line, was published by Half Moon Books of Otley, in October and can be bought by following the link: https://pauladunnartist.com/products/the-necessary-line
