Apricity
Stuff a book in your bag as you prepare
to stride out for the day. Grab another.
Perhaps it's a dogeared favourite
or an undiscovered gem
yet to have its ruby spine bent back
broken or kneeling to be anointed
and crowned with patina tea stain magnificence.
Ready yourself to embrace wonder,
to hold in cupping hands and let a little slip
through gaps, to those ready to receive.
Stride up Castle Street with urgency
to find passage, leading to sunset
of tie-dye T-shirt, purples and pink.
Saunter but do not slip
into nonchalance. Slow to a stop.
Solicit wonder and gently open. Mind
the kerb, but briefly as you tune your station
to starling chatter. Broadcast tells
of sweet song-flutters seduction.
Chirping reverberate a requiem
of standing stones in spring
woodland parks in nook of neck
and throat, regardless of urgency
feel the agency
in their story, unclamp your tongue
from roof-mouth cages and inhale
Horse-chestnut blossom honey.
Barry Hollow, originally from Ayrshire, now lives in Bristol. His debut collection, Viaducts & River Views was published with Black Cat Poetry Press (copies available here). Barry is also a Poetry Filmmaker - with screenings at StAnza, ReelPoetry and Drumshanbo International Poetry Film Festivals. He has featured and performed regularly on BBC Radio and spoken word showcases across the South West (Ledbury Poetry Festival; Cheltenham Poetry Festival ; Bristol Literature Festival, Lyrafest) and has also been widely published in anthologies and poetry journals.
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