Les Derbyshire

My life used to be a calm pool,
Still,
Serene,
Hardly a ripple disturbing the surface.
...

Today I open my eyes
To the first day
That will not have you
To give it life.
...

So many things have changed
Since first I came
To the white island
In my early, early summer.
...

Come close and feel the night!
Here with me beneath this tree,
Listen to the darkness!
...

One mystical, magical evening
I looked into my world
And found you there.
I never knew where you came from
...

''When I am old, '' I said,
''Will you still love me? ''
''When I'm forgetful
And my body won't do
...

This is a very English poem, inspired by my Dorset village.


The hedgehog and the toad are gone to rest;
...

Take an airport, any airport.
Yes, any airport,
From Bangkok to Baltimore,
They’re all the same,
...

(For anyone from outside the UK who has the misfortune not to know the M25, it's the circular freeway/autoroute/autostrada/autobahn around London!)

In the heat of the day or the dead of the night
Here's a thing that is certain to bring you delight.
...

That face in the mirror,
It’s not me.
The person that comes each morning
To look out at the real world,
...

More than the bubble and swirl of a stream
That finds humour in its rush
From source to the sea;
Faster than flurry of leaves
...

The phone rang early this morning.
I ran to answer it,
Still wet from the shower.
As soon as I picked up, I knew;
...

Distant elusive scenes
Of a past
Half veiled
Drift across my consciousness.
...

The poet stumbles alone through the wilderness.
Parched earth burns his sandaled feet,
Dry seared eyes search and search…
For what, he does not know.
...

This man you see before you
Lives no more.
For all that lived within me
Withered when you turned away.
...

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I wander in a valley full of mist today,
In cloud so low I feel its breath.
The scattered villages ghostly ride
Upon a sea of fine white silk,
...

The day that we met
I knew we’d be friends;
Your playful nature
Made me warm to you.
...

When shall I see again your face,
My eyes drink in your gentle beauty?
How I long to hear the sound of your voice,
Your words flowing over my soul,
...

In the sun-warmed plaça
Outside the small café
Bright coloured tables
Show off their colours
...