I Know a Cat


I know a Cat by Martin Hanley Dedicated to my old philosophical friend, Master Mouse Hanley I sat there sweltering in a familiar fog; constipated with checking and weighted outcomes. Languid landscapes with questioning answers; an unfocused portfolio has come undone. Then, in he glides supreme; stretching out beneath the dappled light; now reclining. Regally basking like some ancient achromatic shadow; he swallows the fallow sun. Cold blooded catering alerted, a distant ringing or some obscure Sylvan echo, yet I hear none. Starving for hidden treats that well versed others commonly disdain; he remains steadfast smiling. Forever glancing, my philosophical … Continue reading I Know a Cat

The Circle of Time


The Circle of Time by Maria Fokas The flow of time in a dream It rushes by – It stands still You reach into that endless stream You grasp the haste of freedom Where light and darkness meet Where the old creates the new Where the scent of Green fades into the wake of Blue Like a string that binds my heart to you Into the past, by a thought; Into to the future, with a hope. © Maria Fokas 2015/All Rights Reserved – Photography by Martin Hanley Continue reading The Circle of Time

My Heart’s Whisper


My Heart’s Whisper by Maria Fokas She caresses the strings of her burning thoughts, Humming her secret in the midst of warm nights. A note or two off beat of course – but unique in all its beauty. Like the seasons’ cries,  she recounts her worries, Searching for that one to keep. She chants the letters of her lover’s name – A few drops on autumn leaves.   Then with time, Fragile snowflakes – between the sky and me – Descending – like expectations owed. And with the final season, She reclaims (the right) to love again. And I ask … Continue reading My Heart’s Whisper

House of Pain


 House of Pain by Maria Fokas  In the house of pain the music plays softly. There are books scattered in every corner of each room. The lights are always dimmed but the scented candles never lit. There is writing on the walls: Beware things could be Worse – In the house of pain no one complains about silly things like the taste of food. A stormy day is one when we do not listen, The hour of fun is one when we do not speak. In the house of pain there are no cries in the middle of the night … Continue reading House of Pain

Line Breaks : Snap


Line Breaks : Snap by Maria Fokas There is a freedom, in the face of truth – whether it is soothing to the heart or not, it will always set you free. You rage against the pain. At first, you don’t understand why. You try to go back, and recount your steps; was it my fault, you might ask yourself. But in time, what made you sad will subside. The scent of sunlight will wash your tears away; the bitter taste, will disappear – I promise you that. And they will resurface; all the dreams you had neglected; as platonic … Continue reading Line Breaks : Snap

The End of Time


The End of Time by Maria Fokas  In the midst of night she sleeps. Her wings fly her over the end of time, a glimpse of light and below, she sees the color white. Slowly, don’t rush it, savor that memory of your first sip. The individual slices of time we are bound to miss. I will remember all of this: Freshly squeezed orange scent, I crossed off our precious list. Simple chunks of speech, wasted on an empty kiss. Someone take that first step; someone, but  me, I see those words appear, and a tear rolls down my cheek. How strange the … Continue reading The End of Time

The art of losing


POEM OF THE WEEK – The art of losing isn’t hard to master; so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster. Lose something every day. Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent. The art of losing isn’t hard to master. Then practice losing farther, losing faster: places, and names, and where it was you meant to travel. None of these will bring disaster. I lost my mother’s watch. And look! my last, or next-to-last, of three loved houses went. The art of losing isn’t hard to master. … Continue reading The art of losing