Les Derbyshire Poems

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,
...