Poems by Simon Burgess 

Here are two poems by Mark Mayes of Bedford

Come Back  

In the fading garden

a blackbird sings

on the shed roof.

The roof lets in rain,

but now it is not raining.

The bird could be my father

who also liked to sing.

Orange beak

opens

closes.

My bitterness diminishes

in that movement,

in that song.  

Dark Day Afternoon

Fire in the ash of mind  

as you walk by the hospital.

Leaves on the wet pavement.

Trees are dripping.  

 The green

of that traffic light

invisibly hurts.

Cars whip by,

lorries terrorize.

All the rush and roar

you are not part of.

 You cross,

and make it.

 In the café,

take your crack-lined

mug to the window seat,

rub a hole in the glass,

see a face you used

to work with.  

by Mark Mayes