The Heart of a Poem


The Heart of a Poem by Maria Fokas Life is a poem;  entwined with endless dreams Words that leave behind a longing I cannot deny Waiting for his arrival – while knowing, he may never come Regardless of the promises – regardless of lost time The truth is always there, hidden between the pauses of his smile, Life is a seductive poem, captivated in wild dreams  – and in all its wonder I forgot that the beating of my heart will one day stop   Whether brief or long, this poem I speak of – makes no difference For it was … Continue reading The Heart of a Poem

On Seeing Semele


On Seeing Semele  By Martin Hanley  Dedicated to my sister Marian, who died on the 25 th of April 2013. Surrounded by the living, Semele walks her path alone. Safe now from Decadron that bitter-sweet antonym has come undone. Semele bloated and beckoning; a turgid Styx, a melanoid sun. Gentle hazel in the moonlight like glistening pools they haunt me as wheezing gasps echo in the room next door but one. Semele, still waiting as three sisters weave and their eternal thread is spun. Her short-term; your long-term in a rain-soaked pastel hospice; her senses now numb. Syndromes and charts masked … Continue reading On Seeing Semele

The Mannequin VII


 The Mannequin VII by Maria Fokas “You will never know what freedom is,” he said, as he switched off the lights. I think I felt the cold that night. And then I noticed that little girl, who keeps coming round with her mother; holding an ice cream cone in her hand. The little girl smiled, and pushed her mother’s hand away. Her ice cream dripped on her white shoelace. Her mother said, “No.” She said, “I don’t care.” I don’t care…Is that what will set me free? Continue reading The Mannequin VII

An Unmentioned Silence


An Unmentioned Silence By Martin Hanley Swept away within a boundless and unmentioned silence. Where the sea arrives, it always returns and we, still troubled by its sharp circumference, remain loyal; forever drowning. Never triumphant, never boasting, but tender like a dark rain that endlessly pours to caress and soothe the souls’ inner fires. Sweeping away life’s endless woes, forever breaking the chains of time and glory. Its very essence contrives to own us, to charm the reticent, too reluctant and resigned. No heavy stillness can now remain here. No other witness, as twin worlds together combine. Still toiling and turning … Continue reading An Unmentioned Silence