We will not wander more. No lotus-blossom keeps
us in our seats, but just the glitter on the wall that seeps
into our souls. We love the soothing lullabies of lies
and loss that roll like waves of smoke across our eyes.
These padded gondolas will rest our limbs. Our long
hallucinations glow like pearls. Here sounds our final song.
The dying skeletons of ships float by above,
but here we rest, below – bereft of love.
The sob of marriage split, of love betrayed,
of feuds and frauds and factions – all displayed
in widescreen, stretching thought just broad and high
enough for skimpy hearts and those who’re wide of eye.
Yorkshirewoman Louise Wilford is an English teacher and examiner. She has had around 60 poems and short stories published in magazines including Popshot, Pushing Out The Boat and Agenda, and has won or been shortlisted for several competitions. She is currently writing a children’s fantasy novel.
Krishna Sharma is a teenage poet, whose works have appeared in publications such as ‘Hebe’ and ‘BUSTA RHYME: North West Voices. He was a commended winner in the 2017 Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award. Apart from reading whatever he can get his hands on, Krishna volunteers at his local library, swims, plays tennis and sometimes over-watches his favourite television shows. He hopes to study English at degree level.
Richard King Perkins II is a state-sponsored advocate for residents in long-term care facilities. He lives in Crystal Lake, IL, USA with his wife, Vickie and daughter, Sage. He is a three-time Pushcart, Best of the Net and Best of the Web nominee whose work has appeared in more than a thousand publications.
Foxglove Journal 