'

Love of the unrequited type... 
Ah! How paradoxical it be! 
Even more paradoxical 
Than that of the returned type... 

return to me my boomerang 
if ironic paradox be 
bring on your wings an offering 
return to set this captive free 

Love is love whether returned or not. 

It gives all meaning to life, 
But when not returned 
It drives us into insanity! 
Constantly contemplating 
Upon what may or may not be... 

provide a reason, supply a rhyme 
keep despair exiled forever 
to hearts a breathe of gentle clime 
elixir to heart's endeavour 

If you have not experienced 
This type of love, 
This unrequited love 
Then you shall not understand 
The joyous part. 
You will think it all tragic. 
But there is a joyous part! 

you freely give from joyous grace 
once prisoner of love withheld 
escape on wings of kiss' embrace 
receive twin souls, tender fire meld 

Love is love whether returned or not. 

my need reaches to the heavens 
despaired reply from there to find 
where is that spark this chest quickens 
love without truth is love unkind 

Whether that person feels the same or not, 
I still love her, and to have someone 
That I love so much, 
Brings certain joy unto me... 
But certain grief to not recieve the love in return... 

It is the most tragic grief 
And the most joyous joy 
At the same time! 

Love, paradox of paradoxes!




_ __ ✒
●○
°

cease turning my green to grey
with wilful acts of nature
your heart is found in theirs
providing for this urgency
to lose love's indifference,
redeem that part of self
that feels only for you

'

Can anyone really tell
(what difference there is)
clear to querying mind(s):

How is it we could not
savour the pungent, heavy clouds
before the pulling of the breeze?

Further, afar off,
one imagines future life
daily waiting - awash

tranquil staccato whispers -
permeate my porous soul
after the pelting of evening rain.




_ _ ___✒
○●
°

Forget
the balm of barometric exuberance.
This night
no longer young, dissipates.

Recall
a dewy welcome of sun-quaffed green.
Yesterdays
revive severed umbilical dreams.

Peruse
this present but fleeting acumen.
Today
ceases yet emerges again tomorrow.

Ignite
that kindling of autumnal reticence.
Perhaps
genial kindnesses shall spring.

my finger traces 
a still barely 
visible band 
on my fourth finger 


our ex-anniversary 
is now my memory 

a constant companion 
to might-have-beens 

yesterday had so much 
prospect and promise 
today I face a sink 
filled with ***** dishes

Much like Icarus, off they go; 
until condensation metes them 
reality's condescension:

Whose goals and objectives
are minute in life's greater scheme; 
wings fashioned from floss harps-

Yet they soar each firmament;
nary a doubt would sway resolve;
no tempest or tumult could dissuade.

If you chance upon a cloudless day
catch their echo of jubilant cries
and contemplate your turn to fly.

Feet throb, pulsing thru well-worn shoes; 
after a brisk walk to central station,
we keep our ears plugged with our beats 
to finally find seated, at furtherest point; 

Backs of heads, napes, and collars 
mushroom away; stare blankly ahead - 
polarised sunnies paint them bright; 
choked only by an assumption of gain.

And all that's seen is a tiny reflection of self;
here in our world another day begins: 
a mourning of suited, tired paramours;
in this bustling cosmos of peopled isolation.*



_ _ __ ✒
●○
°

scowling as a threatening storm cloud
sombre as a brooding sky
my errant thoughts stumble
and leave my tear ducts dry:
exhuming an abundant cascade
of strained expressions that reflect
a stained and bedraggled soul
whose fond recollections failed to connect.

happiness is optional
when stuff is essential
stuff is good, tangible
solid and reliable
extended warranty

for mind's peaceability

paypass, paywave, swipe & tab
point of sale, so cool and fab
loads of in app purchases
satisfaction in downloadable zen  
else, opt out and start again.*







____✒
●○

in our interactions
we inevitably arrive
at a fun question:
cat person or dog?
and for once it's
good to be versatile

'silver tongue,' you say
frightful compliment which
births performance anxiety
rather than a mere swelling
of a bloated head

today though; this very moment

this tongue's gut-stung
by a full vial of anaesthetic;
come back tomorrow,
perhaps then, we shall
see a much better show*



●○
°

each instant you
pull the quill, resting
between your breastbone
and your life's undulations;

treasures once hidden,
pulse and bubble over;
releasing that instance
uncovered then framed*




_ _ __ ✒
○●
°

we're glued to touch screens
to the point of distraction
trending expressions an
empty cask of envy and esteem
a digital farce, a silent scream

it's wearing one's heart on

a wearisome online sleeve
and we are one more than
we are able to cope with
or willing to comprehend
we are touched but numb*



●○
•

take a stab
although it's dark
punch and jab
don't miss ye'r mark

tomorrow's fab
don't mind my back
pick up this tab
then hit the sack

'stab's on you
that last pint too

There are shadows all over
shining darkly in reverse;
pointy ears of impish horns,
whose stalks ravaged-worn;
chant rondeaus of dank curses
o
.n   .
  
  
        a sea of four-leaf clover.

where bilious pigeons roost
coo and cackle with abandon
whose obstinate droppings steam
its stench envigorates lagging soul
here and ever after, songs remember*



●○
°

unapologetical apologetics:
what is denounced vocally and
many rave as condemnatory
is actually deep conviction being

militantly denied from an
internal admission of culpability
--external bluster of one in grave
delusionally grand denial*




●○
•

mess with this heart
why don't you? still
oblivious to all you are
all the effects you have
messing this here heart

swagger into the room
head careening askew
slurring pronouncements 
your fond affections spew
I lurv you..... I lurv you

why burden this heart
when sober, always aloof 
hardly your eyes meet mine
tongue-tied and twisted
no words, no touch, no smile


wake up, sober up and see
there is so much more here
more than cooler cans in hand
or that awful look in your eyes
as you sway, pleading, with me

Consider the song of a chirpy creek
or a bubbling brook
and serenading stream
or a rushing river rapid;
tis but a prelude to the roaring
symphony of the mighty ocean.

if there be but two 

on this twilight moon's 

landscape, there might be 

in a galaxy of its own 

a hidden treasure trove 

of good and loved things 

that can be opened up 

and relished each day!

peering out this excuse of a window
a crack, really, into a view less spectacular
barely catching self from tripping over
in this bed-sized atrocity of a room
that costs heaps more than an arm & a leg

oh, and don't venture out that door, today
that job you landed wasn't your first choice
and coffee tastes like something died in it
no, don't step into the street ever again
not for a second rate-life-- scraps for mains

take another look and refocus your lens;
hey, the smoke isn't that big, after all*



_ _ __✒
●○
•

scowling as a threatening storm cloud
somber as a brooding sky
my errant thoughts stumble
and leaving my tear ducts dry:
exhuming an abundant cascade
of strained expressions that reflect
a stained and bedraggled soul
whose fond recollections failed to connect.

a few loose jingling coins
a mind that is confused
a wind contrarily blowing

a set of clothes for spoiling
a clock that's fast or slow
a friend that comes and goes

a lover that's hot and cold
a pace slowed right down 
a transposition to minor chord

a gear shift up an incline
a better or a worse scenario, but
change stubbornly won't change*



●○
°

Called a pain in the neck .
        always in the way
deaf in the ear
stubborn and strong willed--

It's time they realised
that's the way it's always been
and that's the way it'll always be!
          you call the shots
you were born breech

courtliness promenades
intimate exchanges
crystal refractions

burst in a myriad
of coloured light
music to one's toes

jazzy fingers and
ballet chin, poised:
poetical interludes*




●○
°

Shoulders slump as footsteps fade into
the darkened hallway; out of sight.
Then a click-sound of a door, shut;
punctuates a chest-heaving full-stop.

Regret now seeps across the
tidal plain, waiting in vain hope
for a reverse ebb that doesn't arrive.
Regret, only regret remains:

Strain and hear that inaudible sigh
as you lock lips in silhouetted embrace;
It was the kiss of a toxic cocktail--

It's the burnt smell of rubber
that lingers thick in the air after
the smouldered wreck on the road.

It's the ping of a pin dropping
after a grenade had been lobbed
and the afterthought of my diving --

But did I dive to shield you or
was it to duck out of the way?

Regret is the sound of pebbles
tapping off a casket lid as they
bounce from a cascade of apologies.

Still that door clicks shut -- the last time.
Your footfalls fade into the bright,
searing light of pain that is left behind.*




_ _ __ ✏
●○
°

in irony, walk the earth
on chopped green impetus...

This is your ultimate admonition
To set perspective in proportion
Of an age old curse, set in motion
It's time to take out the tanning lotion!

fresh and clean

to smell and feel

my favourite jeans

like second skin




but as i zip

i feel a lump

a *** of fluff

a foreign feel




i pulled and fished

but there remained

fibres and particles

in the pocket deep




i pinch the deep end

and pull it inside

'til it's fully out

a white-washed tongue




letting the wind

take up in its wings

the remaining fluff

of what once was




my marks and grades

of a school year done

obliterated, disintegrated

into lumps of pocket fluff

people's cupboards and fridges
tell a curious tale of everything
some a cluttered obstacle course
others an impenetrable rainforest
some coyly veiling their secrets
others flamboyantly revealing
mysteries both shallow and deep
behind doors their treasures keep

unsleep now; keep still
unwakened dreams

a sun shall set
a moon will rise
a star falls, shooting
kissing dirt, no small
earthbound consolation

even in shadows, evening
dancers pave paths into dark
bear upon themselves, yearnings  

bare feet, tip-toe-ing into
slivers of this moonlit night

angels dare not wander off
deft fingers drift among
slumbering fragrant blooms

here, where fireflies
have up and flown
please, please, promise
not to rouse the dream*




●○
°

'


Steely, piercing gaze 
steady and calculated 
scorn-etched lips, pout 
scathed grains discolour 

pearly teeth bared 
proudly held chin, gloats 
pencilled thoughts 
permanently carve this soul 

crafty words sliver 
carefully orchestrated chaos 
cornering all resolution 
creased yesterdays wither




____✒
○●
°

We are one,
We are different
But we are one.
In deference, we
Respect individual
Variants of the same soul;
Though our chariots differ,
Draw arrows from selfsame quiver.
Though unique in flavour,
Draw at wells from Muse's core.

Which one am I? ...are you?
In essence should it really matter!?

All this who-ha about
Distance in relationships
But what of short-distance
Instead of long, or even
Point blank relationships!
Too much space, so-so-**-hum,
And claustrophobic, let me get
A breathe, tight of chest and
Body parts gone to sleep
Only you can suffer as
Ants crawl on pins and needles;
While all along your love
Looks on with a hurt and
Quizzical look!  So down it goes
You sink in a puddle of woes.
It really don't matter the distance
True love should always pull through.

shadowy sheets cover,
dark shining lips purse;
pointy ears ***** skyward
as corn stalks pondered
chanting scarecrows curse
in a sea of dreams left over

Much like Icarus, off they go; 
until condensation metes them 
reality's condescension:

Whose goals and objectives
are minute in life's greater scheme; 
wings fashioned from floss harps-

Yet they soar each firmament;
nary a doubt would sway resolve;
no tempest or tumult could dissuade.

If you chance upon a cloudless day
catch their echo of jubilant cries
and contemplate your turn to fly.*





●○
°

' 


Less than a bell's ****** 
fainter than a whistle 
stars in the sky twinkle 
your breath a hushed whisper 

O the tiniest sparkle 
dapple on glassy water 
far from distant heckles 
my soul freed from shackles





_ _ __✒
○●
°

Tendril wafted dunes
of barren sands waffle,
swirl across mile
upon mile in every direction-
your face appears a horizon away,
there is little comfort found
in accompanying echoes.

Drifting sticks
wail in the pitched wind,
stretched on distant recollection-
stylus of the scribe named Regret;
each flurrying breeze
turns a new page,
taking with it freshly shed tears.

Foetid droppings
of some wastrel desert vagabond
provide a vivid reminder
of how it can never be again,
to kick it away
would only contaminate
these well-worn wandering shoes.

Head facing forward
wherever the nose points
except in the back of the mind
where the oasis burbles-
each leafy frond conceals
intimate moments now buried
within the unmindful desert's gut.






___✒

will it ever be noticed
that hectare upon hectare
of grain fields pliantly line

countrysides in every nation;

but alas, they are only too often
overlooked... to far too many,
one field is much like the next...

Tonight the sea is still
a moon hammocks on
a tide in its peak
on the coast reflected
shadowy in balmy breeze
a sentinel rain forest
lays watch on tranquil bay

Tonight come to your window
savour sea spray in the air
feast on the sounds of night
and waves lapping upon the shore
while pebbly tapping keeps time
no sadness prevails in this symphony
as the moon reconciles land and sea*




●○
°

Much like Icarus, off they go;
until condensation metes them
reality's condescension.

let's take a stroll through
flowing sheets, as they waltz
to dappled, sunlit beats

let's reach for crystal door-handles
cool to touch, prismatic to eye;
and floorboards creaking secrets

of seasons lost, to years gone by--
one day they shall rise again
to display their former splendour*




●○
°

your northern smile embraces -
shining stars in the dimming sky

sparkles burst and pierce me
such brightness lightens my load
another day closes, sun sleeps
another night begins, stars keep

a hope of us together one day

across an ocean that divide us
steps hasten screen door bangs
my chin lifts, eyes peering deep
this night is your day my sweet

slumber with fondest thoughts
our souls' yearning tendrils enlace.

remember those days when you
had to shout it from the rooftops,
or use spray paint, or car in river;
hard to, when now we type it up
on the walls of our social media
each one, vying in digital swirl
each thought, each feeling, sent
out to dry in a momentary heat,
then move on, unfulfilled, to the
next tab, the next flickering page

' 

Lulach Mac Gill, may your name 
be remembered still 
another thousand years - 
Freedom's memory fill. 

Let clansmen's voice 
'round the globe, arise 
Breathe in peace you bought 
dear, for Moray and Alba's skies. 

Law, equality and tolerance 
the weak protect 
Protectors of these ideals 
allow us to elect. 

Wield again with deftness 
your claidheamh mòr 
Speak truth, walk in grace 
Be no one's fool, forever more.




_ __ ✒
○●
°