sherrie tappenden

I thought I saw a glimpse.
the tight knit chrysalis
in a diamond out of sight.
...

I am beauty interspaced
with utility and fragrant green.
I am ethereal, ever laced
on wings of delicate
...

secure in the knowledge
of dried ancient bone,
safe in the arms
of moss-wall and stone.
...

lift out my heart
and place my death
upon an altar.
sacrificial.
...

...

oh God it came too soon.
without warning
bang.
right there.
...

just once.
be obvious.
just tonight
lean over
...

at the end of the rocky little slope
that leads from the footpath
to the beach
stands an iron frame.
...

trust in you will waver
then it's gone.
disappointing that you
will shed your skin.
...

what would you have me do?
cleave the wood,
split it down the middle.
Axe.
...

she stands closer to the edge than she needs to
just in case there's someone who cares.

she moves further from the centre of the circle
...

...

the silence is deafening,
right up to the edge of eruption.
thick like sponge
and then suddenly
...

I can feel your hands on my face,
your breath against my neck
gently stroking my hair
even now.
...

the words come easy.
they always have.
they flow from me in great gulps of air,
filling the paper
...

without her, what would you be?
still my friend? So eloquent,
still funny and so charming too.
my lover and my confidante.
...

I took last Wednesday off from work
To see Jack Braithwaite tried.
Never stood a chance did Jack,
From the moment his mother turned her back
...

For the England that shines
In the leaves of the oaks.
On dappled acres.
...

you don't know but
when you are at your busiest,
filled with
papers,
...

...