Forged thoughts burn
as a headful of nails.
My resentments are nobody’s business
To a mind of anvils.
War is no enemy to me.
I wage it on wagons and artillery.
Jack-of-all-metal-trades, as wheelwright and farrier,
I get extra as a horse-shoer.
One of the seven mechanical arts,
I form a chain with weavers, and agriculture,
Hunters, traders and cooks,
Masons, and architecture.
My body is a wrought iron skeleton
Of gates, railings and grilles.
It is struck into shape and welded as one
But bends to my maker’s will.
Published by aprettykettleofpoetry
I was born in Oxford but grew up in Devon. Then I moved to Italy at 28 where, to cut a long story short, I’ve been teaching English. I’ve lived in Cagliari, Sardinia since 1995.
For writing, I’ve been influenced by poets such as Phillip Larkin and WB Yeats and a great deal by music – loved it all my life – especially lyrics. I got a book of illustrated Beatles lyrics at 18 and that got me thinking to illustrate every poem I wrote. I liked that extra ingredient of something visual. I don’t consider myself an artist so doing collages with paper, scissors and glue was a great way to cheat a bit! Sometimes I illustrate poems with photos, or drawings and watercolours, and recently a few oil paintings which is very dfficult! I’ve had exhibitions of my collages which has been an added bonus. First and foremost I like writing. Everything comes from that. Now and again, I think about getting published, and then other things take over! I have written songs with Chicco Fresu too which appear now and again on this blog with the poem.
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