zombies
raiding the shops
filling up on butter
and out-of-date bacon packets.
old boys
© Rachel Green 2017
against my eyelids
particles of sunshine
explode of primulas
© Rachel Green 2017
shrove Tuesday
a feast for religious nuts
to eat dairy
how many people will abstain
for the next six weeks?
© Rachel Green 2017
facebook
a wave of comments
competing transboys
have to admit
there are some bigots on there
why are they following me?
do they not know who I am?
© Rachel Green 2017
gym trainer slips. Calls me 'he'
© Rachel Green 2017
Tuesday 28 February 2017
Monday 27 February 2017
poetry 2017 / 032
Unrequited
Peter Dashey used to
chase me home
threatening me with
beatings
for being a sissy
a poofter
a ginger.
I was ten or eleven
afraid to tell my
parents
who would tell me to
stand up for myself
or I'd be a big girl's
blouse.
Every day a different
route
the streamers on my
handlebars flying
with the desire to keep
me safe,
the half-mile home
stretching into two,
five,
as I sought longer
routes
where he wouldn't be
waiting
on one corner or
another,
fists ready to pound
his hatred
into something he saw
as weak.
His brothers were the
same,
sporting bruises from
their father,
walking to school with
his discarded beers
but only Peter had to
work his issues
on the freckled canvas
of my face.
Poor Peter
swept into the recesses
of memory
with the bike shelter
cigarettes
and cricket stand Bjs
short forms 27th February 2017
morning
the dead awaken
reluctant for college
they'd rather eat pizza and play
consoles
© Rachel Green 2017
morning blue
washed away with dirty rag
a frenzy of swifts
© Rachel Green 2017
private prisons
returned by Cheeto Pres
tax dollars for buddies
It becomes profitable
to punish infractions
© Rachel Green 2017
pick rucksack
carried by yawning girl
schoolward bound
her walk carefully timed
to avoid playground bullies
and locker-room taunts
snail paced
© Rachel Green 2017
weight loss. One stomach fades away
© Rachel Green 2017
the dead awaken
reluctant for college
they'd rather eat pizza and play
consoles
© Rachel Green 2017
morning blue
washed away with dirty rag
a frenzy of swifts
© Rachel Green 2017
private prisons
returned by Cheeto Pres
tax dollars for buddies
It becomes profitable
to punish infractions
© Rachel Green 2017
pick rucksack
carried by yawning girl
schoolward bound
her walk carefully timed
to avoid playground bullies
and locker-room taunts
snail paced
© Rachel Green 2017
weight loss. One stomach fades away
© Rachel Green 2017
Sunday 26 February 2017
short forms 26th February 2017
pulling things
from points of view
into one person's perspective
seems like too much work to process.
Old tales
© Rachel Green 2017
blue sky
vapour trails dissipate
sparrow song
© Rachel Green 2017
odd thought
I need to learn welding
for garden sculpture
Tossing metal about
would help the biceps
© Rachel Green 2017
endless jiu-jitsu vids
are being slowly replaced
by work-out routines
starting to get the feel
of basic muscle groups
and exercises for them
will I ever get fit?
© Rachel Green 2017
oatmeal. Her new favourite go-to.
© Rachel Green 2017
from points of view
into one person's perspective
seems like too much work to process.
Old tales
© Rachel Green 2017
blue sky
vapour trails dissipate
sparrow song
© Rachel Green 2017
odd thought
I need to learn welding
for garden sculpture
Tossing metal about
would help the biceps
© Rachel Green 2017
endless jiu-jitsu vids
are being slowly replaced
by work-out routines
starting to get the feel
of basic muscle groups
and exercises for them
will I ever get fit?
© Rachel Green 2017
oatmeal. Her new favourite go-to.
© Rachel Green 2017
Saturday 25 February 2017
short forms 25th February 2017
her purse
returned to her
before she was aware
she'd dropped it. Was she a victim
of theft?
© Rachel Green 2017
dreary morning
two girls pass the house
pyjamas and parkas
© Rachel Green 2017
work to do
dog walking, training
and feeding cats
if only she wasn't do tired
she'd be enthused
© Rachel Green 2017
evening class
jiu-jitsu fundamentals
Amassa Pão choke
I train with a boy
forty years my junior
and he's a natural
(also train the defence)
© Rachel Green 2017
Oatmeal breakfast. Her under-eye shadows.
© Rachel Green 2017
returned to her
before she was aware
she'd dropped it. Was she a victim
of theft?
© Rachel Green 2017
dreary morning
two girls pass the house
pyjamas and parkas
© Rachel Green 2017
work to do
dog walking, training
and feeding cats
if only she wasn't do tired
she'd be enthused
© Rachel Green 2017
evening class
jiu-jitsu fundamentals
Amassa Pão choke
I train with a boy
forty years my junior
and he's a natural
(also train the defence)
© Rachel Green 2017
Oatmeal breakfast. Her under-eye shadows.
© Rachel Green 2017
Friday 24 February 2017
poetry 2017 / 031
Apology
It's time to say I'm
sorry
for all the things I
did
when I was avaricious,
proud or angry;
The time I punched John
Emerson in the liver
for calling me...
whatever it was...
for pulling Sally's
Cooper's hair
because she stopped
being my friend;
for writing grafitti on
the school bus
and sawing through the
table in home room.
For writing lurid
teenage sex stories
starring the current
recipient of my lust.
The time I stole porn
mags from John Menzies
and sold them to the
boys at school.
For stealing my
father's cigarettes,
a bottle of whisky from
the pantry,
and chocolate from my
mother's shop.
The night I kicked a
bloke in the neck
for beating up my bff
and the harsh words
over Messenger
when Vicky finally
dumped me
because she was
straight after all.
Now I'm sorry for my
complacency;
my peace with the world
and my lack of
ambition;
but most of all to
myself
for the abuses of my
body
and the extra hundred
pounds of weight.
short forms 24th February 2017
one view
one character
interacting with the
assembled regulars: werewolves
and vamps
© Rachel Green 2017
sunshine
after the hurricane
street litter
© Rachel Green 2017
hot oatmeal
a promise to my muscles
leg day
but first tasks first:
walk dogs, feed cats
© Rachel Green 2017
no interest
in printer for sale
i drop the price
brand new A3 printer
with full wifi features
only sixty quid
huge doorstop
© Rachel Green 2017
aching muscles. She can't see improvement.
© Rachel Green 2017
one character
interacting with the
assembled regulars: werewolves
and vamps
© Rachel Green 2017
sunshine
after the hurricane
street litter
© Rachel Green 2017
hot oatmeal
a promise to my muscles
leg day
but first tasks first:
walk dogs, feed cats
© Rachel Green 2017
no interest
in printer for sale
i drop the price
brand new A3 printer
with full wifi features
only sixty quid
huge doorstop
© Rachel Green 2017
aching muscles. She can't see improvement.
© Rachel Green 2017
Thursday 23 February 2017
short forms 23rd February 2017
rewrite
two points of vies
from Yana and Penny
one religious assassin, one
a ghost
© Rachel Green 2017
horizontal rain
a visit from Boris
our bin full of roof
© Rachel Green 2017
kickboxing classes
at my local gym
tempted to sign up
maybe a class a week
would help my technique
© Rachel Green 2017
time management
failing to apply priorities
over internet usage
cat feeding
dog walking
jiu-jitsu at eleven
no, Bored Panda, no
© Rachel Green 2017
increased weight leads to depression. Meh.
© Rachel Green 2017
two points of vies
from Yana and Penny
one religious assassin, one
a ghost
© Rachel Green 2017
horizontal rain
a visit from Boris
our bin full of roof
© Rachel Green 2017
kickboxing classes
at my local gym
tempted to sign up
maybe a class a week
would help my technique
© Rachel Green 2017
time management
failing to apply priorities
over internet usage
cat feeding
dog walking
jiu-jitsu at eleven
no, Bored Panda, no
© Rachel Green 2017
increased weight leads to depression. Meh.
© Rachel Green 2017
Wednesday 22 February 2017
short forms 22nd February 2017
dead girls
I remove the
other world portal stuff
and make Valerie become Aunt
Yana
© Rachel Green 2017
high winds
our carport roof
visits the neighbours
© Rachel Green 2017
oatmeal
on a cold morning
delicious
I should have stuck to one banana
because now I feel sleepy
© Rachel Green 2017
cat duties
even the ginger Angel
accepts my hand
Willow remains friendly
but gobbles her food
and asks for more
pet sitting
© Rachel Green 2017
The distractions of depression. Cold tea.
© Rachel Green 2017
Tuesday 21 February 2017
short forms 21st February 2017
a change
linking the past
with present-day townies.
Valerie the ex-assassin
as mum
© Rachel Green 2017
morning light
a pink glow in the east
yellow crocus
© Rachel Green 2017
dammit
missed the autostraddle call
for lesbian bedrooms
I thought they'd like ours
monochrome polyamory
© Rachel Green 2017
cinema night
double feature
John Wick and Grey sequels
John Wick is preferable
jiu-jitsu combined with guns
Grey's soft porn
one hard muscle
© Rachel Green 2017
Eating shit. Nachos at the cinema
© Rachel Green 2017
linking the past
with present-day townies.
Valerie the ex-assassin
as mum
© Rachel Green 2017
morning light
a pink glow in the east
yellow crocus
© Rachel Green 2017
dammit
missed the autostraddle call
for lesbian bedrooms
I thought they'd like ours
monochrome polyamory
© Rachel Green 2017
cinema night
double feature
John Wick and Grey sequels
John Wick is preferable
jiu-jitsu combined with guns
Grey's soft porn
one hard muscle
© Rachel Green 2017
Eating shit. Nachos at the cinema
© Rachel Green 2017
Monday 20 February 2017
short forms 20th February 2017
project
back to writing
edit and change old book
into a story I'm pleased with.
Dead Girls
© Rachel Green 2017
gulls
over the carpark
discarded chips
© Rachel Green 2017
insensitive
I eat the last croissant
(it was Lina's)
They say it's okay
but it clearly isn't.
© Rachel Green 2017
brief glimpse
solitary passenger
on the 2A to Walton
blonde, thirties,
a lesbian plaid shirt
staring at her phone
a life worth living?
© Rachel Green 2017
Every mirror reveals her inner ugliness
© Rachel Green 2017
back to writing
edit and change old book
into a story I'm pleased with.
Dead Girls
© Rachel Green 2017
gulls
over the carpark
discarded chips
© Rachel Green 2017
insensitive
I eat the last croissant
(it was Lina's)
They say it's okay
but it clearly isn't.
© Rachel Green 2017
brief glimpse
solitary passenger
on the 2A to Walton
blonde, thirties,
a lesbian plaid shirt
staring at her phone
a life worth living?
© Rachel Green 2017
Every mirror reveals her inner ugliness
© Rachel Green 2017
Sunday 19 February 2017
short forms 19th February 2017
a blade
slides into flesh
and actually feels
more satisfying than she thought.
World views
© Rachel Green 2017
grey sky
the skeletons of last year's annuals
© Rachel Green 2017
last year
I bought a "solar rock light"
for the garden
Now a mess of dissolved resin
and basic electronics
© Rachel Green 2017
several hours
setting up and reviewing
a new photocopier
letter printing is perfect
photo printing less so
dull colours
I'll stick to online prints
© Rachel Green 2017
crushed by students. ju-jutsu depression
© Rachel Green 2017
slides into flesh
and actually feels
more satisfying than she thought.
World views
© Rachel Green 2017
grey sky
the skeletons of last year's annuals
© Rachel Green 2017
last year
I bought a "solar rock light"
for the garden
Now a mess of dissolved resin
and basic electronics
© Rachel Green 2017
several hours
setting up and reviewing
a new photocopier
letter printing is perfect
photo printing less so
dull colours
I'll stick to online prints
© Rachel Green 2017
crushed by students. ju-jutsu depression
© Rachel Green 2017
Saturday 18 February 2017
short forms 18th February 2017
she learns
to ignore them
the taunts and jeers of
the well-meaning sympathisers.
Just leave
© Rachel Green 2017
polyanthus
splashes of yellow in the garden
discarded candy wrappers
© Rachel Green 2017
rear collar choke
demonstrated to class
my jaw clicks
Still, "Look at your watch"
is becoming archaic
© Rachel Green 2017
odd dream
working in a men's prison
as a policewoman
toleration
of the jeers and catcalls
of stinking offenders
bathroom horror
© Rachel Green 2017
asked to run for charity. Me?
© Rachel Green 2017
to ignore them
the taunts and jeers of
the well-meaning sympathisers.
Just leave
© Rachel Green 2017
polyanthus
splashes of yellow in the garden
discarded candy wrappers
© Rachel Green 2017
rear collar choke
demonstrated to class
my jaw clicks
Still, "Look at your watch"
is becoming archaic
© Rachel Green 2017
odd dream
working in a men's prison
as a policewoman
toleration
of the jeers and catcalls
of stinking offenders
bathroom horror
© Rachel Green 2017
asked to run for charity. Me?
© Rachel Green 2017
Friday 17 February 2017
poetry 2017 / 030
Acoustic Clog
Penny played the banjo
finger-picking a five
string
in the Appalachian
style.
She never looked at it
–
always away, away –
the loose flap of skin
beneath her jowls
flapping with the
motion of her arm,
her jaw clenched with
the effort
of remembering the tune
in her head.
She was pretty good at
it;
instilled a love in me
of that hillbilly
shit-kicking style
though her friends were
less desirable
in their button-down
plaid
and their beer-swilling
southern drawls
(we're talking Dorset
here).
I'd buy another banjo
in a heartbeat
but it would probably
remind me of the heartbreak
and the almost-broken
jaw.
short forms 17th February 2017
transman
and a lesbian
talking about smoking
and imbibing amphetamines
banned book?
© Rachel Green 2017
grey morning
the endless run of cars
dashing past the house
© Rachel Green 2017
early gym
I nominate the day
biceps and back
It's only been two weeks
but muscle definition increases
© Rachel Green 2017
meeting a bloke
as preparation
for an artist event
We arrange a cafe date
for a fortnight's time
poetry and art
he seems keen on inclusion
© Rachel Green 2017
no non-friends read her novels anyway.
© Rachel Green 2017
and a lesbian
talking about smoking
and imbibing amphetamines
banned book?
© Rachel Green 2017
grey morning
the endless run of cars
dashing past the house
© Rachel Green 2017
early gym
I nominate the day
biceps and back
It's only been two weeks
but muscle definition increases
© Rachel Green 2017
meeting a bloke
as preparation
for an artist event
We arrange a cafe date
for a fortnight's time
poetry and art
he seems keen on inclusion
© Rachel Green 2017
no non-friends read her novels anyway.
© Rachel Green 2017
Thursday 16 February 2017
short forms 16th February 2016
her dad
won't accept her
choice of partner despite
a three year relationship with
a girl
© Rachel Green 2017
houses
a row of broken teeth
sunshiney gap
© Rachel Green 2017
health concerns
a valentine's day gift
chocolate cake
by the next morning
covered in mould
© Rachel Green 2017
mayhem
one car in the garage
on in Manchester
my lift to jiu-jitsu cancels
due to illness
I cannot attend
Chris arranges a lift for me
© Rachel Green 2017
Thinner? Or a fun-house mirror trick?
© Rachel Green 2017
won't accept her
choice of partner despite
a three year relationship with
a girl
© Rachel Green 2017
houses
a row of broken teeth
sunshiney gap
© Rachel Green 2017
health concerns
a valentine's day gift
chocolate cake
by the next morning
covered in mould
© Rachel Green 2017
mayhem
one car in the garage
on in Manchester
my lift to jiu-jitsu cancels
due to illness
I cannot attend
Chris arranges a lift for me
© Rachel Green 2017
Thinner? Or a fun-house mirror trick?
© Rachel Green 2017
Wednesday 15 February 2017
short forms 15th February 2017
knowledge
three older kids
responsible for death
a hate crime gone unpunished for
lifetimes
© Rachel Green 2017
morning run
pink-edged clouds
promise sunshine
© Rachel Green 2017
a dear friend
does a fabulous thing
for a loved one
His excitement over dinner
at the thought of meeting legends
© Rachel Green 2017
abs day
my weakest muscles
exercised
I can barely move
my body from the horizontal
but the muscles ache
reverse sit-ups
© Rachel Green 2017
morning run. goodbye to the wyfe.
© Rachel Green 2017
three older kids
responsible for death
a hate crime gone unpunished for
lifetimes
© Rachel Green 2017
morning run
pink-edged clouds
promise sunshine
© Rachel Green 2017
a dear friend
does a fabulous thing
for a loved one
His excitement over dinner
at the thought of meeting legends
© Rachel Green 2017
abs day
my weakest muscles
exercised
I can barely move
my body from the horizontal
but the muscles ache
reverse sit-ups
© Rachel Green 2017
morning run. goodbye to the wyfe.
© Rachel Green 2017
Tuesday 14 February 2017
short forms 14th February 2017
young man
soft-spoken voice
belies the long dreadlocks
and the tribal tattoos on his
biceps
© Rachel Green 2017
sunshine
melting the morning frost
from streetside bins
© Rachel Green 2017
Secretary for education
without qualifications
only donations
DeVos needs an editor
and a history lesson
© Rachel Green 2017
February 14th
a day like any other
except with cards
today is
Random Christian Martyr Day
Hurrah
No cut flowers, please.
© Rachel Green 2017
two pounds lost. She looks fat.
© Rachel Green 2017
soft-spoken voice
belies the long dreadlocks
and the tribal tattoos on his
biceps
© Rachel Green 2017
sunshine
melting the morning frost
from streetside bins
© Rachel Green 2017
Secretary for education
without qualifications
only donations
DeVos needs an editor
and a history lesson
© Rachel Green 2017
February 14th
a day like any other
except with cards
today is
Random Christian Martyr Day
Hurrah
No cut flowers, please.
© Rachel Green 2017
two pounds lost. She looks fat.
© Rachel Green 2017
Monday 13 February 2017
short forms 13th February 2017
chsnges
the solitude
of a surviving child
after her brother's funeral.
Eating.
© Rachel Green 2017
single crow
shouts at a pigeon
roadkill
© Rachel Green 2017
7:30 AM
the morning is already light
Mom's taxi
hot oatmeal and a coat
because it's still cold.
© Rachel Green 2017
squeaky door
the careful tread
of a teenager
a tottering pile
dirty cups and plates
full sink
snack time
© Rachel Green 2017
She tries not to eat. Fails.
© Rachel Green 2017
the solitude
of a surviving child
after her brother's funeral.
Eating.
© Rachel Green 2017
single crow
shouts at a pigeon
roadkill
© Rachel Green 2017
7:30 AM
the morning is already light
Mom's taxi
hot oatmeal and a coat
because it's still cold.
© Rachel Green 2017
squeaky door
the careful tread
of a teenager
a tottering pile
dirty cups and plates
full sink
snack time
© Rachel Green 2017
She tries not to eat. Fails.
© Rachel Green 2017
Sunday 12 February 2017
short forms 12th February 2017
her temp
relief teacher
entertains the students
with "true" stories of the Bible.
Jasfoup
© Rachel Green 2017
snowflakes
whistle past the window
alt.right supporters
© Rachel Green 2017
the terror
of a deported child
New England
Victoria's pink world map
now facisti red
© Rachel Green 2017
idolatry
and devil worship
Costa book of the year
England in the seventies
where the provincial IRA
is backed with dollars
Shankill Road shennanigans
© Rachel Green 2017
New Scarlet Fever cases. Vaccination deniers.
© Rachel Green 2017
relief teacher
entertains the students
with "true" stories of the Bible.
Jasfoup
© Rachel Green 2017
snowflakes
whistle past the window
alt.right supporters
© Rachel Green 2017
the terror
of a deported child
New England
Victoria's pink world map
now facisti red
© Rachel Green 2017
idolatry
and devil worship
Costa book of the year
England in the seventies
where the provincial IRA
is backed with dollars
Shankill Road shennanigans
© Rachel Green 2017
New Scarlet Fever cases. Vaccination deniers.
© Rachel Green 2017
Saturday 11 February 2017
short forms 11th February 2017
her sex-
uality
influenced by her past
her brother's transgender issues
buried
© Rachel Green 2017
snow
over the early bulbs
wind blown plastic
© Rachel Green 2017
discussion about snow
Jiu-jitsu Jim loves it
even as an adult
at least it make Chesterfield
look nice for an hour
© Rachel Green 2017
overslept
the curse of staying up
for a crappy film
worth watching
because it was set in Britain
ex Doctor Who assistant
rubbish acting
© Rachel Green 2017
leg day. She's surprisingly capable. Fitness.
© Rachel Green 2017
uality
influenced by her past
her brother's transgender issues
buried
© Rachel Green 2017
snow
over the early bulbs
wind blown plastic
© Rachel Green 2017
discussion about snow
Jiu-jitsu Jim loves it
even as an adult
at least it make Chesterfield
look nice for an hour
© Rachel Green 2017
overslept
the curse of staying up
for a crappy film
worth watching
because it was set in Britain
ex Doctor Who assistant
rubbish acting
© Rachel Green 2017
leg day. She's surprisingly capable. Fitness.
© Rachel Green 2017
Friday 10 February 2017
short forms 10th February 2017
her crush
from her school days
got married long ago
to the she-bitch bully from her
class year
© Rachel Green 2017
ground snow
melted by sunshine
dog bowl ice
© Rachel Green 2017
sparring
looking for triangle
taking a choke
I am improving
albeit slowly
© Rachel Green 2017
leg day
I am surprised
at the weights
leg press is easy
I can press my own wight
which is a lot
smaller weight and reps, though
© Rachel Green 2017
still fat despite everything. She cries.
© Rachel Green 2017
from her school days
got married long ago
to the she-bitch bully from her
class year
© Rachel Green 2017
ground snow
melted by sunshine
dog bowl ice
© Rachel Green 2017
sparring
looking for triangle
taking a choke
I am improving
albeit slowly
© Rachel Green 2017
leg day
I am surprised
at the weights
leg press is easy
I can press my own wight
which is a lot
smaller weight and reps, though
© Rachel Green 2017
still fat despite everything. She cries.
© Rachel Green 2017
Thursday 9 February 2017
short forms 9th February 2017
open
relationship
in theory only.
Jealous partner when she talks to
a boy
© Rachel Green 2017
winter cold
wiping the slush from my eyelids
dandelion leaves
© Rachel Green 2017
old friends
join jiu-jitsu
group class
I fall in love
with a man's dog
© Rachel Green 2017
morning job
taking the car to the garage
dead battery
jump start
then the other car dies
infectious dead spots
journey home
© Rachel Green 2017
new exercise regime. Her eating increases
© Rachel Green 2017
relationship
in theory only.
Jealous partner when she talks to
a boy
© Rachel Green 2017
winter cold
wiping the slush from my eyelids
dandelion leaves
© Rachel Green 2017
old friends
join jiu-jitsu
group class
I fall in love
with a man's dog
© Rachel Green 2017
morning job
taking the car to the garage
dead battery
jump start
then the other car dies
infectious dead spots
journey home
© Rachel Green 2017
new exercise regime. Her eating increases
© Rachel Green 2017
Wednesday 8 February 2017
short forms 8th February 2017
plot twist
her brother's life
was how he wanted it;
his death more tragic than he wished.
grave stone
© Rachel Green 2017
trays of polyanthus
in the supermarket racks
expensive lettuce
© Rachel Green 2017
morning rain
life goals change
fitness routines
learning about weight training
with the gym owner's mum
© Rachel Green 2017
oatmeal
nutritious and filling
aching triceps
I can't help thinking
that all the muscle building
won't make me thinner
I really need flexibility
© Rachel Green 2017
heavy rucksack. She carries the shopping.
© Rachel Green 2017
her brother's life
was how he wanted it;
his death more tragic than he wished.
grave stone
© Rachel Green 2017
trays of polyanthus
in the supermarket racks
expensive lettuce
© Rachel Green 2017
morning rain
life goals change
fitness routines
learning about weight training
with the gym owner's mum
© Rachel Green 2017
oatmeal
nutritious and filling
aching triceps
I can't help thinking
that all the muscle building
won't make me thinner
I really need flexibility
© Rachel Green 2017
heavy rucksack. She carries the shopping.
© Rachel Green 2017
Tuesday 7 February 2017
short forms 7th February 2017
new arc
about her love
for chocolate and her
battle with a drug addiction.
Chloe.
© Rachel Green 2017
snowdrops
scattered across cold winter mud
confetti
© Rachel Green 2017
gym visit
in the early morning
cold rain
...and the car won't start.
Bollocks.
© Rachel Green 2017
jiu-jitsu session
punching fast and accurate
head bobbing
deflecting punches
to head and torso
and keeping base
practice, practice
© Rachel Green 2017
exercising. she's still horribly overweight. Gross.
© Rachel Green 2017
about her love
for chocolate and her
battle with a drug addiction.
Chloe.
© Rachel Green 2017
snowdrops
scattered across cold winter mud
confetti
© Rachel Green 2017
gym visit
in the early morning
cold rain
...and the car won't start.
Bollocks.
© Rachel Green 2017
jiu-jitsu session
punching fast and accurate
head bobbing
deflecting punches
to head and torso
and keeping base
practice, practice
© Rachel Green 2017
exercising. she's still horribly overweight. Gross.
© Rachel Green 2017
Monday 6 February 2017
poetry 2017 / 029
Last Kiss
She's going home today,
back to New York City
and its eclectic mix of
people,
where they pretty much
don't care
about your skin colour,
about your religion,
about your politics.
What matters more
is whether you can
smile through adversity
and turn an insult
into something
beautiful.
She's going home today,
I just wish it wasn't
in a lead lined casket
with homophobic slurs
carved into her face
and the skin of her arm
mottled by battery
acid.
short forms 6th February 2017
he's sure
there's a market
for old televisions.
She can't even give them away.
Landfill.
© Rachel Green 2017
morning frost
the encrusted windows
of a dead car
© Rachel Green 2017
out before breakfast
taking the AA man
a cup of tea
Trickster in the window
won't stop barking.
© Rachel Green 2017
oatmeal
breakfast of champions
on a cold morning
i may still be fat
but daily exercise
gets me fitter
also, treadmill reading
© Rachel Green 2017
her cracked and broken fingernails. diet.
© Rachel Green 2017
there's a market
for old televisions.
She can't even give them away.
Landfill.
© Rachel Green 2017
morning frost
the encrusted windows
of a dead car
© Rachel Green 2017
out before breakfast
taking the AA man
a cup of tea
Trickster in the window
won't stop barking.
© Rachel Green 2017
oatmeal
breakfast of champions
on a cold morning
i may still be fat
but daily exercise
gets me fitter
also, treadmill reading
© Rachel Green 2017
her cracked and broken fingernails. diet.
© Rachel Green 2017
Sunday 5 February 2017
poetry 2017 / 028
Unless You're a
Hairdresser
You teach me to defend
but I cannot attack.
My ex punched me in the
face
until my cheek ripped
against my teeth
but despite the blood
all I did was walk out
and I still cannot hurt
someone
without their hands on
me.
All my life my beloveds
have cheated on me
without my straying
once
(it is my nature to be
inadequate)
but touch one hair of
my daughter's head
and I will end you.
short forms 5th February 2017
dad's house
where rooms are full
of randomised rubbish
who will ever read these papers?
Not her.
© Rachel Green 2017
a brace of pigeons
on the neighbour's roof
a Sainsbury's bag
© Rachel Green 2017
gym time
another five miles
plus some weights
I an thrown out shortly after
early closing Saturday
© Rachel Green 2017
Jiu-jitsu practice
leave me satisfied
but wanting more
all the moves I know
need extra practice
in genuine situations
Maybe I'll walk through Mansfield...
© Rachel Green 2017
All this exercise. She's still fat.
© Rachel Green 2017
where rooms are full
of randomised rubbish
who will ever read these papers?
Not her.
© Rachel Green 2017
a brace of pigeons
on the neighbour's roof
a Sainsbury's bag
© Rachel Green 2017
gym time
another five miles
plus some weights
I an thrown out shortly after
early closing Saturday
© Rachel Green 2017
Jiu-jitsu practice
leave me satisfied
but wanting more
all the moves I know
need extra practice
in genuine situations
Maybe I'll walk through Mansfield...
© Rachel Green 2017
All this exercise. She's still fat.
© Rachel Green 2017
Saturday 4 February 2017
short forms 4th February 2016
forget
the loss of life
what's really hurting her
is being left alone again.
Father
© Rachel Green 2017
old man walking
in the frost-heavy air
rainbows
© Rachel Green 2017
stick figures
growing in number
unsold sculptures
at least they'll burn
when it's time to move house
© Rachel Green 2017
flowing jiu-jitsu
setting up chokes
to teach defences
the best result
becomes confidence
spotting danger
let fear flow past and through
© Rachel Green 2017
Her bruises. Memories of lessons learned.
© Rachel Green 2017
the loss of life
what's really hurting her
is being left alone again.
Father
© Rachel Green 2017
old man walking
in the frost-heavy air
rainbows
© Rachel Green 2017
stick figures
growing in number
unsold sculptures
at least they'll burn
when it's time to move house
© Rachel Green 2017
flowing jiu-jitsu
setting up chokes
to teach defences
the best result
becomes confidence
spotting danger
let fear flow past and through
© Rachel Green 2017
Her bruises. Memories of lessons learned.
© Rachel Green 2017
Friday 3 February 2017
poetry 2017 / 027
A Lump in the Throat
The scent of
frankincense
on the early evening
air.
Windows are open. The
sound of traffic
in the distance lost in
the closer drone
of lavender bees and
wood pigeons.
You body dusted with
sweat, drying in the heat
and leaving tiny
circles of salt.
Albinoni on the record
player
and a lazy trail of
smoke
from the cigarette
between your lips.
Still early, but the
sun sends shadows
racing across the lawn,
longer and longer until
they are taken by the gloaming
and the distant
streetlight flickers on.
You rise, and a line of
ash rolls from your clavicle
as you speak:
“I have to go home.”
“Home is where the
love is,” I reply
and you laugh: “Just
not here.”
short forms 3rd February 2017
Alex
a name she loves
but hard to get used to
as is the change in his pronouns
Transman
© Rachel Green 2017
sunshine
gilding the rosemary bush
bits of our roof
© Rachel Green 2017
missive
from a facebook friend
about God
She seems genuinely concerned
about my atheism
© Rachel Green 2017
so many girls
on my friends list
run marathons
Today I managed five miles
quite an achievement
for an old, fat lady
Still, a personal milestone
© Rachel Green 2017
Her love of comics. Now digital.
© Rachel Green 2017
a name she loves
but hard to get used to
as is the change in his pronouns
Transman
© Rachel Green 2017
sunshine
gilding the rosemary bush
bits of our roof
© Rachel Green 2017
missive
from a facebook friend
about God
She seems genuinely concerned
about my atheism
© Rachel Green 2017
so many girls
on my friends list
run marathons
Today I managed five miles
quite an achievement
for an old, fat lady
Still, a personal milestone
© Rachel Green 2017
Her love of comics. Now digital.
© Rachel Green 2017
Thursday 2 February 2017
poetry 2017 / 026
Twixt Vomit and Piss
Women
are just the same as
men.
We eat, sleep, shit;
dream a life better for
our children.
We work, love, laugh,
raise kids to be
responsible adults,
teach them our
tolerance, our bigotry
and at the end of the
day wash the sweat from our armpits,
the stink of urine from
men's hands,
the hours of casual
dismissal from our minds.
Tomorrow we will start
again.
We will be the
workforce,
the wives and mothers,
the lovers, the
mistresses,
the dirty little
secret,
and we will remember
the time
when love was requited.
short forms 2nd Februsar 2017
knowledge
of mum and dad
did they know the future?
Why else name her Hypatia?
New man
© Rachel Green 2017
February
wet and windy
DK's illness
© Rachel Green 2017
Doctor Nute
waves to her clients
over Skype
Does the psychology comfort them
of the image of the cat?
© Rachel Green 2017
morning gym
I don't have time for much
just treadmill
I manage 5Km
then rush home for shower and jiu-jitsu
dogs already walked
standstill traffic
© Rachel Green 2017
Autocorrect replaces 'kitkats' with 'goatskins'. Why?
© Rachel Green 2017
of mum and dad
did they know the future?
Why else name her Hypatia?
New man
© Rachel Green 2017
February
wet and windy
DK's illness
© Rachel Green 2017
Doctor Nute
waves to her clients
over Skype
Does the psychology comfort them
of the image of the cat?
© Rachel Green 2017
morning gym
I don't have time for much
just treadmill
I manage 5Km
then rush home for shower and jiu-jitsu
dogs already walked
standstill traffic
© Rachel Green 2017
Autocorrect replaces 'kitkats' with 'goatskins'. Why?
© Rachel Green 2017
Wednesday 1 February 2017
poetry 2017 / 025
Turning Cheek
I was asked
why it was so easy for
me
to be polite in
adversity;
to smile and say 'thank
you, sir,'
when the insult hurled
had left me pierced by
a hurt
hot as a boiling kettle
when there is no water
left for tea.
Live through worse, I
said,
cry alone in the
darkness
and challenge the boys
with sticks
when being Other
is despised;
smile at the haters of
red-hair
when what they really
mean
is I hate myself;
Celebrate
diversity,
smile
at people on the street
offer
charity to those who need it.
Listen
to those who differ in opinion
or
who have experience you don't.
Wear
clothes of both genders
or
none at all
and
realise that bigots are bigots
because
they are afraid of you
and
what you represent,
and
possess neither experience
or
imagination.
short forms 1st February 2017
brother
taught her to steal
from the supermarket
so she takes kitkats for his grave.
Her loss.
© Rachel Green 2017
blue tits
sheltering from the rain
next door's cat
© Rachel Green 2017
old Jack
sleeps the day away
I can has milk?
He likes the idea of a walk
but all his joints hurt today
© Rachel Green 2017
gym time
personal goals expand
fitness returns
watching jiu-jitsu films
the growing family
of other practitioners
belly fat wobbling
© Rachel Green 2017
Loss. The passing of an internet friend.
© Rachel Green 2017
taught her to steal
from the supermarket
so she takes kitkats for his grave.
Her loss.
© Rachel Green 2017
blue tits
sheltering from the rain
next door's cat
© Rachel Green 2017
old Jack
sleeps the day away
I can has milk?
He likes the idea of a walk
but all his joints hurt today
© Rachel Green 2017
gym time
personal goals expand
fitness returns
watching jiu-jitsu films
the growing family
of other practitioners
belly fat wobbling
© Rachel Green 2017
Loss. The passing of an internet friend.
© Rachel Green 2017
Passing Of Kev From 'Nothing To Do With Arbroath'
I was a daily visitor to Nothing To Do With Arbroath . Unfortunately Kev passed away on 28th January. He will be missed.
Tributes can be left here
Tributes can be left here
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