I write poetry, short stories, essays, articles. My work has been published in Le Mostre (short story), Superpresent (moving prose poem), Now the Author of the Glazed Water (poetry), and magazines including The Idler. I mostly share new poetry (that isn't being submitted for publication) and if I'm doing a poetry reading here. For my my mudlark related writing, please follow the 'mudlarking' link in the menu, above.
A new short story will be published later this year, info to follow.
From The Saturday Train I Saw
In quick succession:
Cows resting comfortably on ample fresh hay, snoozing and chewing.
Happy families gathered around muddy paddock activity - horse riding lessons.
Three paramedics frantically resuscitating an unresponsive body.
Bear Pit Cock Pit Skip Double Dutch
The corner of Cranstoun and Robert Street
impromptu arena, scenes ranging from
the stupendous to the sadistic.
Peak focal point for gum-eyed neighbours
bludgeoned by boredom, beyond care.
Serial blue light flashing
serenading car seat sandwich teas
witness to fleeing third parties,
escaping hot trouble, watching
hand in hand with their friend,
the net curtain, twitching jig.
Below bust-up twisted bed frame,
(slightly superior to the cheap ply wardrobe
so far as hiding places go)
in practiced silence we wait.
How many thousands of times
have you heard this before
against those same brick walls,
behind the splintered red door?
Expectation
At best you’re my Joe
at worst you’re my Magwitch.
I’m your eternal Estella.
Guilt, shame, expectation:
it comes in threes
cleaves threefold.
Now I’m entering standby mode.
A child has returned
screaming soundlessly into the sun.
© marielouiseplum.com 2022