I had a very appreciated opportunity to record my poem, Memorial to a Marriage, with the sculpture it’s in response to, at Kelvingrove. You can watch it at the link below
I had a very appreciated opportunity to record my poem, Memorial to a Marriage, with the sculpture it’s in response to, at Kelvingrove. You can watch it at the link below
When walking home alone at night isn’t as simple as “Be Safe”

Animation by Holly Summerson
Sound Design by Adam McCallum
Today I created a poem based on the order of book titles in my collection (thanks Huddersfield New College library for the inspiration!). Without realising I’ve probably placed certain titles together in a certain order, and when read as a text some of the words make sense or take on new meanings in unexpected ways. What do you come up with?
“Hot milk
we should all be feminists
why be happy when you can be normal
a girl is a half-formed thing
Harmless like you
your family your body
men explain things to me
if I’m scared we can’t win
hystopia
brand new ancients
I love this part
Spectacles
The Bricks that Built the Houses”
“Today marks a gateway to a future
which can hold on for just one more minute.
For now,
It’s about being proud.
All the hours at the library,
vindicated.
Study booth book tower uncomfy pillow,
Theorising throwing a silent housewarming
party to cries of “the library is my new home…”
All the stress,
Intellectual and mental health tests,
When it felt like it might be sink instead of swim,
Toes in at the deep end,
Push up, and here you are,
Reading the Thank You page,
The parents, carers, partner, friends, the helpful experts who lent a hand.
People hug and beam,
Proud as punch,
Punch-drunk on a heady elixir of fulfilment with a dash of fear
Of the unknown, that rogue.
But here is the finish line, for the current round.
What next? What was it all for?
Hold those thoughts,
the day is yours.
EMC
Teeth brushed clean,
bra unclipped,
first fresh air,
shoes unslipped.
Downpour in the heat,
fresh clean sheets,
flash-filled kitchen floats on the scent of coffee beans.
Post-hike pint,
pre-booked taxi arrives on time,
first shower after the fest,
sink into pillows instead of wet grass-mess.
Downers on the outside,
crashing loud, a landslide,
blissful moments just in reach,
unfold,
if incomplete.
Side by side,
Weighted nights by fleet-foot rays of light.
EMC
Photo by the author.
Happy to share the first volume of an excellent project, Hold my Purse. I contributed a poem on what it is to walk in the dark and the female network that is our safety net. Just press play 🙂
She walks all night
But it’s summer
So it’s still light
And what is night looks like day,
The moon
At play.
Kneading the frustration
Out on her skin
Almonds and honey rise,
Fake scent from the bottle
But she isn’t going to
Mix it herself,
So the imitation it is.
If you didn’t know in advance
Could you tell
A blind test
Every time my mouth meets another’s.
When I tasted her,
I thought she was the real thing.
EC
Image: Summer, Margaret Macdonald, c1894
she was red wine and chocolate
records and cigarettes
the golden flakes
as warm and quickly gone
as the smoke
they made,
curled and burned
through me,
I disintegrated like paper,
tapered,
fuel.
Blue tit sentinel on top of the school gates
Mighty tiny warrior,
Doesn’t flinch or make to escape
As I pass by.
Maintaining its post against
All passers by.
Less fear in its berry sized heart than
any towering counterpart.
EMC
Image source: banditbirds.co.uk (artist unknown)
Pushing through, improving
When you feel like you’re not moving,
Tethered, same old mooring,
Feels like you don’t know what you’re doing.
Like a boulder on your back,
A form of self-attack,
Circumstances may have stalled,
And now you beat yourself down small.
‘Should’ can help or hinder,
Indicating mistakes or wrongs.
But magnified, turned inward
can also cast some shadows, long;
I should be better
I should be further
I should know all of the answers
I should have done this
I should have fixed it
I should be creating chances.
When all the power’s in your hands
And things are not according to your plans
So the logic goes, who else is to blame;
You set the fire, feel the flames.
Embrace your own autonomy
Your independent thought is free,
That is your responsibility.
But if you’re trying your level best
When the arrows just won’t rest,
Know that you are sound,
Sometimes solutions are waiting to be found.
They may require chipping out and carving, dug with your own muster,
But some assistance or opportunity can come from another.
Supportive words, a listening ear, or two,
Someone who believes in you.
And the light might not always cast itself in your direction,
But keep seeking,
Hand outstretched,
everywhere,
And it may just be met, half way in mid air.
A lattice of interlocking light,
Shines bright as kindness keeps alight
Our hearts like stars,
Connected by these threads
Like kites, balloons, or paper planes bobbing on a mobile above your head.
Paths leaves scars as you find your way
And in the pause of some relief
Breathe in deep
Before submerging –
Because it will all come round again,
The rushing, never ending, one of those days, lack of sleep
This time when it’s really what you need,
For passions of whatever kind,
That soothe your heart and give you peace of mind.
EMC