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Charlotte Harrison

A selection of my poetry

NB copyright for all work remains with the author Charlotte Harrison



Cornish Scene
For the painter Richard Tuff

There are blue houses that overlook the bay,
whose windows shine like eyes in the sun.
There are tall trees whose bodies swell up and sing
with birds in the spring, then fall frailly away
into the background come winter;
gently hugging and gracefully framing the scene.

Boats bounce softly on the surface of the sea.
There’s always brine in the air, on the tongue,
in your hair. Old gents and young lads,
fishwives and young brides, all of them
waiting for time to pass and bring in
the men who’ll bring in their fish.
Captains, captives and captures.

Papers bustle past you caught in the wind’s net.
Children scurry down to the water’s edge,
take a look, try the quick dip of a toe
then think better of it. Local boys
throw seaweed at pretty girls who’ll scream,
make a fuss then come back for more.

Bold dogs, walked by long married couples
who wistfully look out to the water
for answers to unasked questions,
chase clumsily along the shoreline.
Diving in and out of pools,
shaking wet fur on owner’s Arran knits;
they smell excitement in the air
like toddlers rockpooling their first summer.

When it gets too late for arm in arm strolling,
when the sun is low in the sky, they’ll return
to the blue houses for warmth. Harbour
behind glinting eyes
which overlook the bay;
the tidal water’s ebb and flow.
Windows are painting the scene of a town
held safely by tall trees.



She’s filling up


Tears, blood, dirt, soap
They all lived there -
Within her porcelain skin
she’s heavy

Unmoveable
She’s keeping it all in
Her mouth plugged until
She lets it all out
with a sigh that fills the room
It will all swell
Round the brim
Then pour safely out

The gurgling sound
That comes from her throat?

That’s lost children
Forgotten friends
All her angry days
They are choking there
Slightly out of reach





Latest page update: made by Lottielou , Jan 21 2007, 9:25 AM EST (about this update About This Update Lottielou Edited by Lottielou


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Keyword tags: Charlotte Harrison cornish Richard Tuff
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DCTacitus Cornish Scene 1 Jul 3 2007, 8:12 AM EDT by Lottielou
DCTacitus
Thread started: Jun 15 2007, 1:23 PM EDT  Watch
Cornish Scene is an additional reason to visit Cornwall! I will look for Richard Tuff's gallery when I go there soon.

Dennis
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