Stephen Parkes

Misty tendrils reach out for the dawn
from that star-shot failing hour, jealous of the light
Through the vast, remorseless umbrage, on to morn
a path is lit; her dance 'til dawn
...

Balmy breezes gently undulating
daffodil seas on warm, blue, spring-time days

Lazy shoals bask, in shady, tranquil depths
...

Leaves in their thousands lay fallen in struggle
against wind and rain. The gardener futilely
holds back this autumnal onslaught in vain
...

Delicately, daintily (seemingly
forensically?) Daisy tentatively
sniffs out meandering four-legged trails
that lead us (not into temptation!) but,
...

This is to assure you that
I never fell in love with you
This is just to let you know
I never felt a thing for you
...

All I need are your soft caresses,
your subtle sea-breezes, the ebbing
and flowing of your heaving tides
...

From your vase tulips bow, wilting, sated;
flame-red heads, unfurled fully, revelling
in their final ecstasy.
...

I feel a black shape taking form,
infiltrating to the core, I
hear footsteps approaching,
faceless, a figure, intimidating
...