To Mars

The mornings feel possible

We are tired 

But sing our song 

We like the quietude 

Of dawn

It happens in a moment 

We catch it

In our hands

Like wild horses

Running across

An empty beach 

Taking in the air

The salty water 

Hooves silent 

In the sand 

Remember when we used 

To ride our bikes

Down the hill

Wind raising our hair

Colouring our cheeks 

The movement was

As easy as speaking 

Now we are a million miles away

On Mars

She claps her hands in glee

We have no plans to leave

Or stay 

We will ride out

This adventure

Until we tumble down 

To our feet.  

Mother Home

She takes my hand 

In hers 

If I could

I would cry

Home is so very far away 

Mother took away 

Our dreams 

She dances 

With our soul 

The rain pours down our window

The fresh green grass

Filters up our nose 

A Strange dance

Of hunger

And belonging 

We do not know 

Where to go 

What to do

Who to become 

We reach out

To mother 

Our nemesis 

And love

All that takes us home.

Riverside

We get tremulous without

The powder 

It wraps around our bones

Like weeds

Pierces our flesh 

Like thistles 

We cannot refuse it

It is an urgent need

More urgent than words

She asks

I think for a moment 

The choice is complicated 

It ripples inside

Our bellies 

Like birds in

An hibiscus bush 

Claiming the flowers 

Flapping the leaves 

All of this makes us stuck

Glued to the bed

Bitter

Like lemon tea

We wish for more

A stroll by the riverside

A toe dipped in water 

I touch my face 

Feel the tears

Unsure of how

This became us 

Defined our very being.

Poems and Time

We lose track of time

As we read this beautiful poem 

All our adventures

Wrapped up

Condensed 

Like milk

Sweet to the tooth

Light on the heart

We boil the kettle

Fill the bowls 

Let's pretend at making tea

She claps her hands

In glee

We lay everything out

On the table

Shiny spoons

Delicate plates

We will eat

When the moon drops

When we have to light a candle

Say a prayer

Enjoy our feast

We enjoy the silence

The fact that we can 

Sit at the table together

Take this poem 

We whisper

Time is flying by. 

Afternoon

The stars flash in the sky

We see them spinning

Like wheels 

Bright like cherry tomatoes

Heavy and ripe 

On the vine 

Good enough to eat

We look out of the window

See the fields

We have faith in the green grass

A future where we can 

Alight and be happy 

We trust our eyes

Break down the brick walls 

Everything is a story

Letters and words

Sweet sugar 

And rich tea

This is how we spend

Our afternoon

How it spreads into evening 

And dreams 

We like to lie in bed

Look up at the sky

Count the clouds 

Watch out for rain 

See the people 

Busy and loud 

We prefer the silence 

Sit together in hope

And wonder 

Dream of far off shores 

Andalusia 

Mountains and flowers 

We close our eyes

And travel 

Far beyond the window

Deep into the afternoon. 

Storm, Ink, Love

The blue butterfly

Rests upon my ankle

It kisses my flesh 

Tiny lines of ink

That make me feel loved

I wish all my skin

Was ink

Not scars 

When I look in the mirror 

I do not recognise myself

It is like a storm 

Passing through

Relentless 

Unforgiving 

She touches my cheek

As if to say

Everything is ok 

Her skin is like porcelain 

Pure and soft 

I look at the baby pictures

Wonder how I became 

Can you see self destruction

In a baby's eyes 

Your eyes were full

Of hope

She whispers 

Just like yours

I reply

We will spend another day

Together 

Ride out the storm

Marvel at the ink

Know that we love each other

And all will be well. 

Rooms by the Sea

There was a time

When all we wanted was pills

Anything to line our stomach

Take a hold of our senses

And tumble down 

The stairwell 

We would keep then in a bowl

Like candy

Ready to chew 

To dance and sing 

To buzz around the apartment

Like bees

Heavy with nectar 

We would fall 

Upon the rug

A soft landing 

Like letting the ocean

Lap against our toes

Were they good days

Or bad

We remember 

And forget 

Like an adventure 

We couldn't control

Now we are older 

And all we crave 

Is rooms by the sea

Brilliant blue

And cool 

Cool

Waves. 

Scent

She leans her head

Into my shoulder

Her hair smells like

Vanilla and peaches

Youth and light 

We will sit for a while 

In the sun

Watch the people go by

Busy and hot

Summer peeps into 

The window 

One last hurrah 

Blue skies

And wasps 

Flowers standing tall

And full of colour 

It makes us sleepy

Ready for bed

Her breathing slows

We are peaceful 

Connected

And strong 

We push the worries away

Dream of brighter things 

Her skin is warm

It lights up the world 

I love the scent of her

The very essence of her being. 

What's Going On

What's going on

She asks

I don't know Little Cricket

But I feel a bit peculiar 

These hills are making me breathless 

I am not sure I can 

Climb them any more 

I am like a steam train

Running out of coal

She skips and twirls

In front of me

Of course you can climb

She says with glee

Just take my hand

And follow me

How can I give up

With her light shining 

Right in front of me

I reach out

Take her porcelain fingers

In mine

Feel the electric charge

The power of being young 

Strong blonde hair

And sparkling blue eyes

We pick up speed 

The top of the hill almost in sight

My legs ache

My chest burns 

And yet I feel happy 

With her every day 

Is an adventure

An achievement 

I feel my breath

Want to sing and dance

Welcome the end of one day

Look forward to waking up 

To the next

It is a revolution

She giggles

As we lie down on top of the hill. 

Two Photographs

I raise the cup 

To my lips 

Fingers bent

Around the handle 

The tea tastes 

Like pebbles

Knots of hard water

Sticking to the back

Of my throat 

I look into her eyes

She is frowning

Working out a puzzle

I don't like the space

Between us

I would like to feel her hand

On mine

See how firm 

Her grip is

We mumble prayers

A crack in the ointment

Our silent therapy 

If I had a camera

I would take a selfie

Of us both

Two people

Two photographs 

A moment in time

Captured in amber.