Paragon Station 1960
PRINT YOUR OWN
N A M E P L A T E
22 letters for 1dHis dad gives him the penny
to put in the slot, he moves the hand
to ten-past-twelve to point at M,pulls hard on the lever – a clonk
as the letter is stamped into metal –
then back to I back to C to Hand over to ten-to-twelve for the A
before the E (the moment he knows
how to spell it) and round again to L,a final heave on the guillotine lever
severs it, the little strip of aluminum
dropping into the delivery boxand all day long the feel of the tag
in his pocket as he rubs his thumb
over the bumps of his name.
Paragon Station 1960 won first prize in the Brittle Star competition judged by George Szirtes.
Chatterpie Lane
Stalks thicker than a wrist catch in the flail
crack and clatter into the cutting chamber.All morning the machine moans
crashing back and forth along the lane
spitting sticks and crisp packets.The shocked hedge lies in its wreckage.
Cans and plastic bottles litter the ditch.Celandines yellow the bank. The hawthorn blears:
greenness springs from splintered stems.
I would like to make contact with Jennie Carr
Vivid imagery which take me back to my time in the English countryside. I’d really like to read more of Jennie Carr’s poetry!
Dear Jennie and Jenny,
Am looking forward to seeing and hearing you Fri 6th July Friends Meeting House Oxford.
Thank you for the invitation!!
janx