"sbm" poems
the british way, not mentioning
yarn, too much, repeating words,
where no longer necessary. wool
in abundance here, piled on wool
lorries, neatly balanced with
premium acrylic.
it is a fine line we walk,
gently avoiding peptides,
only just a theory, yet used
independantly, alongside
honest work, for mending.
today is hallow e’en
sbm
Oct 31, 2013
Oct 31, 2013 at 2:00 AM UTC
lay dead . do not speak nor ask for fear.
lay quiet. do not write nor tell. there are
new shoes by the wardrobe. at an angle.
still. do not move nor participate in any
way.
do not breathe, nor cry. there are new
shoes by the wardrobe, new shoes.
sbm.
Feb 12, 2017
Feb 12, 2017 at 1:26 AM UTC
all things are useful, bulbs
bring light , denote ideas,
good intentions, spent,
collected.
cotton hankies, frayed hold the books,
yet those with nylon, stretch the skin
resulting in red and soreness.
shy away from dangerous commodities,
use the best, those tradtional artefacts
which are gentle on your soul, bring light.
wipe your nose clean.
sbm.
today we have added notes for your interest.
A HANDKERCHIEF (also called handkercher or hanky) is a form of a kerchief, typically a hemmed square of thin fabric that can be carried in the pocket or purse, and which is intended for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping one’s hands or face, or blowing one’s nose. A handkerchief is also sometimes used as a purely decorative accessory in a suit pocket. When used as an accessory to a suit, a handkerchief is known as a POCKET SQUARE. There are a wide variety of ways to fold a pocket square, ranging from the austere to the flamboyant.
The material of a handkerchief can be symbolic of the social-economic class of the user, not only because some materials are more expensive, but because some materials are more absorbent and practical for those who use a handkerchief for more than style. Handkerchiefs can be made of cotton, cotton-synthetic blend, synthetic fabric, silk, or linen.
Historically, white handkerchiefs have been used in place of a white flag to indicate surrender or a flag of truce; in addition to waving away sailors from port. King Richard II of England, who reigned from 1377 to 1399, is widely believed to have invented the cloth handkerchief, as surviving documents written by his courtiers describe his use of square pieces of cloth to wipe his nose.
Jun 9, 2014
Jun 9, 2014 at 1:33 AM UTC
he thought of moving it
out of sight.
disagreed, like to see it there
now, remembering.
see the reflection in the light
of my torch after dark.
the shape leaned against
the wall, the space in the shed
where it used to be.
we tried to give it away, no one
wanted it.
it has been a while.
sbm.
Dec 3, 2014
Dec 3, 2014 at 2:02 AM UTC
not the milk, you see, is too sweet,
thick, which will rhyme if i write,
for me.
thick like the wool that filled
breaches in the wall, saved the lives.
save some with shelter, needing shelter,
while others lean to watch the birds fly,
talk of the bell tower, and all the implications.
the man parked his car, tidily went to poundland,
bought cards.
sbm.
*notes verb
verb: condense; 3rd person present: condenses; past tense: condensed; past participle: condensed; gerund or present participle: condensing
1.
make (something) denser or more concentrated.
Dec 16, 2013
Dec 16, 2013 at 2:44 AM UTC
tucked in, nice curtains
frame the photograph
while i google syntax
and superlative,
conjunctions, filling.
forgot the dentist appointment,
another dark mark on the horizon.
lead soldiers may cause lead poisoning,
the line come longers, the family taller.
yes, it was a lovely day, pat.
sbm.
Mar 21, 2014
Mar 21, 2014 at 2:37 AM UTC
come in many styles,
walking, soft top, striped,
you name it , they make it,
market it.
now then i buy cheap ones,
5 pair a go quite comfy,
with dots mainly.
we talked of clough ellis, his yellow
breeches, long wool hose to knee,
all arty and architecture.
she liked the woolly ones, chose
a dull colour over pink.
a day of rearrangement.
as you were.
sbm
Aug 25, 2014
Aug 25, 2014 at 1:53 AM UTC
they say that manners maketh man,
yet boys in pyjamas
use them to be polite , asking for quality
behaviour. smiling slightly
converse in lowered tones.
nijinski.
©sbm
Apr 22, 2013
Apr 22, 2013 at 10:19 AM UTC
new numbers came
suddenly, soon
after one.
nothing added any more,
all began to subtract,
divide, the result
algebraic
there are no rulers,
lines to divide,
the total is irrelevant
now, the
addition foremost.
i have been to the counting.
sbm.
Jan 11, 2014
Jan 11, 2014 at 1:22 AM UTC
there are no pins,
no easy way to fix
some things.
this time, we wait
to see the outcome.
mended plates aren’t funny,
scaffold a life.
don’t laugh, it may
happen to you.
listen, repeat the
random insects.
stitch another way.
sbm.
Jun 30, 2014
Jun 30, 2014 at 12:57 AM UTC
i suggested mending when you asked about weaving.
yet what goes round comes round. i find myself weaving,
at the mill.
how apt.
was i weaving on pegs, the stuff of dreams,
addictive wool gathering storms and whether,
or not, we should make and mend. the old way
Johann Botha.
sbm.
Nov 4, 2013
Nov 4, 2013 at 2:29 AM UTC
have you seen a drawing,
bold, that hits your heart,
licks and smudges
make the picture
of a man.
yet look sideways, it may
be you, or her, each day
there is something different
in the mirror.
each way, drawing you in.
it is framed. as are you now.
there is no photograph.
sbm.
Dec 31, 2013
Dec 31, 2013 at 1:35 AM UTC
needing refreshment in oswestry,
later rather than sooner,
crept up the chalk painted
staircase, seems to work
well, in this case.
i note the dstressed nature
of the furniture.
this place.
having regular coffee,
a fruit scone will
certainly do,
i listen to the server, who
clasping the china teapot,
tells us revelations
of those who live, who divorce
and warm the ***
i have to say that
the scone was lovely.
later i bought a potting bench.
sbm.
Mar 28, 2015
Mar 28, 2015 at 2:30 AM UTC
of course you will, some times.
why not, we cannot think of everything all the time.
it is a little flower, shallow rooted,
that spreads lovely. have planted some in pots,
while down the path, will add a touch of blue.
sometimes we just stand and look.
sbm.
Apr 4, 2015
Apr 4, 2015 at 1:40 AM UTC
it had to be ants.
the town turned out,
a pound a time,
to see the model railway
of dolgellau.
amazing as it was,
as you know i do like tiny things,
expecially trains.
more astonishing was the conversation,
face close, on ants that bit up his legs
at bingo, formic acid and calamine
explained in detail.
thre train went by, with tiny noise,
as he rolled up his trouser leg to show me.
the explaination as detailed
as the dioramal, on and on and on.
a nice man. my daughter saved me.
twice.
it was a good turnout, an excellent,
award winning model railway.
sbm.
May 12, 2013
May 12, 2013 at 4:00 AM UTC
always been a plain one,
no frills, tidy packaging.
went to liverpool, slowly,
rather slowly to be safe.
on arrival found art to
be inspired, enquired
about restrictions there,
the mirrors square.
on arrival found bling.wore bling.
on returning home ate liver. #apt.
sbm.
Oct 17, 2013
Oct 17, 2013 at 1:46 AM UTC
been pecking the pole since the forties
we think,
how delightful.
yet it must be changed and moved
in case it falls down, what would we
do then? he asked.
i decided not to think about that, and
rejoice in the creosote
of the new thing.
may be the woodpecker will
too?
sbm.
Apr 22, 2016
Apr 22, 2016 at 1:29 AM UTC
make complications, rebuke.
electronic mailings
back, forth, fourth
again. it is their responsibility,
arrangment, role, assigned post.
it is so very important, so difficult.
phoned the other one, he just
said yes.
job done.
sbm.
Jun 6, 2014
Jun 6, 2014 at 11:45 PM UTC
having searched for the word,
head reels across the room.
the path was mud, the willow cut
back to stump.
the memory remains.
snowdrop’s green
appears.
this is not bethlehem.
sbm.
Dec 21, 2014
Dec 21, 2014 at 2:03 AM UTC
are suggested quickly, no time taken to
utter the words. yet. it will take a while
to order, to plant, it will all be lovely,
unless bitter words entice despondency,
low spirits from a loss of hope, of courage.
we shall carry on until the paint runs out,
then we shall clean the old rugs., order two hundred
bluebells.
he often has good ideas.
sbm.
Apr 9, 2015
Apr 9, 2015 at 1:26 AM UTC
do you remember i wrote
about the hawfinch, dead
at my gate? i have the skull
to wonder at the big beak.
such a big beak. a man
came yesterday, explained
yew berries, the outer shell
and kernel. none in the drive
today.
no berries left, these trees,
there are no hawfinch here,
today, sir.
yes, you may photograph.
this skull.
sbm.
Jan 21, 2014
Jan 21, 2014 at 1:23 AM UTC
do you like the feeling,
walking ahead quickly,
moving forward, loosening limbs.
pushing through wind,
through water, rain slanting.
shouting, counting the rams,
shadowing shepherd. wee
mouse on the path, beady
eyed. these are the hopeful days,
weak sun aching to shine.
these are the days, the marches.
after
idly chat to neighbours, to fetch
the dog, to dawdle, to wind
slowly down.
the snowdrops are out.
sbm.
Jan 23, 2014
Jan 23, 2014 at 1:37 AM UTC
it is an traditional
afghan dress
look at the bodice.
encrusted with jewellery,
history, a desire to buy
is curtailed, only by
the price. i have
searched ebay for another,
more affordable, yet tis
this one, i love.
i can visit, touch
and take photographs.
the afghan dress
is £125, will not fit
me. that will not
stop me
liking.
sbm.
Dec 18, 2014
Dec 18, 2014 at 2:24 AM UTC
there are a few, those who should tidy,
those who pump and clear, those who
investigate.
water beetles float their legs, paddle
the river, dimpling surface. hang on
the bridge , warming back and watch.
water men wear high visibility, while
the beetle shines black.
lately we have cut the paths
and planted bluebells.
sbm.
May 1, 2015
May 1, 2015 at 1:09 AM UTC
another day of vinegar soaked
words.
another play on keys, as we drift
through winter days.
curtains dragged across the gloom,
early, yet while light lingers later,
we wander to the snowdrop drift, hear
the last bird call.
hear the dog at pentre farm, barking.
later hear the water fall from
broken drain pipes.
soon it is february, lighter
nights.
sbm.
Jan 24, 2015
Jan 24, 2015 at 1:40 AM UTC