Angel Of Eastern Esplanade

Tin can guns
topless and bronzed
strode the bend
from Saturday song

dialling threat levels
of passers by
tote bags in hand
all boots and tie.

Waste, they thought
but wouldn’t say
judging others
against their way.

Speeding fast
he stirred a scare
with their read
of chest ink bared.

Some crossed over
turned back, slowed
at his intense focus
and sunburn glow.

He walked in road
and dropped his knees
lifting the wings
of a bird from sea.

Gently and calmly
he placed her down
on a curb of safety
as cars sped round.

With sighs of relief
judges felt no regret
of the book cover fable
they know and forget.

Cliftonville

Featured on BBC Radio Kent’s Upload on the 8th December 2022.

There’s shouting up Northdown Road.

‘Tomorrow morning. That’s it!’

Sat on a doorstep, horrorshow cold
they tangle in each other’s fits.

Passing pity gifts them a can.
Their cockles and quarrels warm.

Dawn points at the avenue home
arm in arm, unpicking the sworn.

Donut At Dawn

Featured on BBC Radio Kent’s Upload on the 4th October 2022.

A chorus of squawks descended
outside patio doors at sunrise
alerting the lightest sleeper
the day was about to break.

Grazing the brick and lawn
three seagulls shrieking loud
bombarded the doughy catch
a fourth found on the cliffs.

The kettle clicked and steamed
to butter knife on toast scratches
and clinks of cupboard searches
for a jar of something sweet.

The seabirds won that morning,
beak deep in a donut’s jam
pattering atop the treasure
of someone’s day trip fail.