Rough and Unpolished.

Submission One: untitled.

Inspired by a failed trip to the beach in which a bikini was worn in vain. The weather was really cloudy and gave off an odd, eerie and threatening feeling which I likened to the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. Add in the fact that this was on a beach in June where people steadfastly stayed on the beach despite the lack of sun and you have a strange yet absurd poem.

Summer light falls in squares upon
Green lino and yellow walls
It was warm in the back garden; a contrast
To this afternoon’s bleak beach
Mist rolling in from the sea
But everyone seemed oblivious
Ploughing on in idle bathing
Both on land and in water
Not disturbed by the grey pall swathing
Sickly sunshine, just how I imagine
The end of the world to be.
And somehow it was funny
That no-one was choking or
Running for their lives.

Instead, they sat
Content with sand and lacklustre weather
A stiff upper lip and a sticky ice cream fist.

Submission Two: untitled.

Another weather-inspired piece. I have a fascination with the sky. Reading this back, I can't remember what the lines Would she bare her teeth?/Or sigh with relief? mean; I think I was trying to personify the sky and imply that a turbulent storm may be an expression of anger on her part or perhaps an outpouring resulting in relief. Or something.

The sky is yellow and sick with rain
Scarring the shielded window pane
Peering through the white wish nets
Would she bare her teeth?
Or sigh with relief?
The gold ball sun glares defiantly
Attempting to add colour to a crying shame
I can’t decide if it looks like the end of the world
Or a sickly child trying to get well again.