Vessels Poem by Jacqui Thewless

A wide white Cup for the teapot. The squat Teapot
for tea. Various and pretty Plates
for the two kinds of my home-made cakes;
almond or else milk chocolate.
A wooden Bowl for sugar and
for the beautiful spoon.
The tiny Pot you painted on a summer’s afternoon
for salt
and a round Table out of doors for us.

An entire House for all the rest of the furniture.
Today’s transparent Sky for passing clouds.
The plastic Seat that’s green
for my old friend to sit upon
and, for her man, the Steps from which he leans.

My Skin, for my bulges, like any bag.
A rotting Crevice in the neighbours’ fascia board
for the peeping birds;
and for the Garden we are in,
tall Hedges on one side
and on the other one -
a long
and timeless,
ivy-leaved
dry-stone
Welsh Wall