Friday, October 02, 2020

New Poetry by Robert Ford


 







In order to think  
 
I have had to empty the room completely. 
The shed skins of scattered clothing got folded  
into piles or hung from pegs in the hallway, 
dangling their toes at various heights. 
The radio is sulking, a hiss of mithering static  
wedged in the embrace of the nearest tree. 
All the unread books, bills and letters, 
are loaded into the stove, a yawn of flames 
turning them to ash and smoke, while the  
remains of last night’s dinner have been  
fed to the expectant pig out in the yard.  
I have swept the floor until it wept for mercy, 
using its tears to mop myself into a corner. 
All that remains is the chair by the window, 
angled into the light, where I sit, waiting for 
the to and fro of footsteps; the nervous babble 
of laughter; the soft, apologetic knocking of  
freshly-hatched thoughts at the door behind me. 


- © Robert Ford 2020


Robert Ford's poetry has appeared in print and online publications in the UK, US and elsewhere, including Under the Radar, Brittle Star, Dime Show Review, The Interpreter's House and San Pedro River Review. More of his work can be found at https://wezzlehead.wordpress.com/



1 comment:

  1. I like the energy of this. The need to create a clearing for new thoughts to be invited in. Great title.

    ReplyDelete