A Cold Touch

A Cold Touch

a poem by pete marshall

Beneath the ice the fish still swim

as sacks lay strewn around the bins

where food is dragged from bags that split

mixed with snow and dirt and grit

sprawled across the concrete street

where foxes sniff for scraps to eat

and people tread and slip on slush

or slip on turds beneath the crust

The frozen earth and crumpled sounds

of angels dancing on the ground

and children sleighing down the hill

A snowball thrown, a wondrous thrill

Inside a house of Christmas scenes

the old will freeze in log fuelled dreams

and cars still churn their poisoned fumes

that stain the snow from white to gloom

the shops will sell and clear their shelves

as panic mounts a war with wealth

whilst those without will be the damned

as winter grips this wonderland

*****************

Snow has hit the UK!!!!!

This is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry, which is a great weekly platform to help promote your work, make friends & learn new styles. opens tonight at 10pm UK time

image courtesy of creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/boynton/

Where are they now?

Where are they now?

Over at One Stop Poetry is my new poem, 

Where are they now? A reflective look at my teenage years.

Self.......A poem by Pete Marshall

Self.....

by Pete Marshall

She felt the chill of yesteryear

that touched her skin and scratched the spine

and blew through hope and distant tears

and curdled screams within her mind. 

She hung across a kitchen sink

with wrist that limped upon the bowl

A knife in hand that grazed her skin

in cries of help for none to know.

As waters steamed to scalding hot

the blood would swirl and run to clear

her tears would fall beyond her cheeks

in cries of help for none to hear.

She washed her hands and gently rinsed

the blood that stained her calloused skin

that bore the scars of OCD

and life that pained her thoughts within.

***************

Reading through the poems of last weeks One Shot Wednesday one poem touched on me personally. It was by chance that Shewriting, AKA Sheila Moore, was spotlighted also at One Stop Poetry by Dustus a couple of days later. It was her poem She Writes LOVE on her arm that i am reffering. 

The poem stood out as it touched on a subject that hit a nerve, it wasnt about me but someone I know and am very close too. Her poem left me thinking about this person and that is why I have written my piece today.

Sheila wrote her poem in support of a charity, To Write Love on her Arms, which is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to present hope and find help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.

Although I am a UK poet, I completely agree and support this cause. In the UK I have also used my work and my position with One Stop Poetry to support various similar causes.

Recently I did a spotlight on UK award winning poet Mat Lloyd and his poem, Blokes which was in support of the UK Charity C.A.L.M which does so much work to try and reduce suicide amongst young men within the UK.

A previous poem that I had written, Broken, was also in support of M.I.N.D, which is a UK Charity for better mental health.

Mental Health is an issue that still is treated sceptically by so many and yet throughout the World so many people are struggling to come to terms with their problems, when at times, all they need is somewhere to turn, some help to prevent them from suffering or, even worse, finishing their own lives. The Internet often gets bad press for the things that can be viewed and seen and how it can be used for bad things BUT the Internet is also a very powerful tool for helping unite people, throughout the World, and offer them hope... Together we can raise awareness on these issues and spread the word of so many good causes.

I have shared this poem with One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry, which opens every Tuesday at 10pm UK time, 5pm Eastern Time, and remains open all day Wednesday. One Shot Wednesday is a platform where you can share your work, promote yourself, meet other poets and, generally, enjoy poetry

The Riddle of the Fish

Albert Einstein posed a riddle and said that 98% of the worlds population would never solve it! The riddle was the Riddle of the Fish? Today Poetry and science intertwine, at One Stop Poetry, as I ask you who has the fish?

Are you prepared to take the challenge?

Robbers Bay: A Poem by Pete Marshall

Robbers Bay

by Pete Marshall

The sunset burned the Autumn sky

as waves would lap a gentle sway

that rocked the berth of one's desire

alone she moored in Robbers bay

and legend told of love that passed

that sailed the lake in summers heat

when boats would glide across the mere

and hearts would dance a merry beat.

But storms would come as waves would rise

and mar the blues of darkened skies

that played a song, a maudlin weep

as truth was told in eyes that seek

and on that day her love was spurned

as two would fall and one return

and from the deep she'd clasp for air

and mourn the one who brought despair.

The trees that stood in silent peace

had watched the flow of centuries played

this eve they watched a broken heart

that chose to act the legends play

and as she fell beneath the blue

the ripples softly spread afar

as breath would leave a broken soul

the boat would float beneath the stars.

********************

A few weeks ago I wrote a poem, The Estuary, which featured artwork by a local artist, Donna Cove. Tonight's poem has, again, been inspired by her pastel drawings. 

This picture was called Robbers Bay, a name she admits, she plucked from the air, but the image, a lonely boat, the burning sunset and deep blues, coupled with its title, inspired myself to write a tragic love story. I hope you enjoy not only my poem but also the wonderful art of Donna Cove

This poem has also been entered into One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry, a place which celebrates both new & old poetry alike. If you would like to participate in One Shot Wednesday it opens 10pm UK, 5pm EST every Tuesday night and remains open all through Wednesday, closing Thursday morning

Homeless: A Poem by Pete Marshall

Homeless

by Pete Marshall

Water soaks through shredded news

That’s wrapped around a hungry heart

And as I walk in heelless shoes

I wonder forth around the park.

The nights are cold and days are long

My mind replay’s where I went wrong

And rain will soak and wash my tears

Where strength resolves to show no fear.

And last nights meal was found in bins

Of salad tossed in throw out things

And smokes are found upon the floor

The stubbed out tabs I barter for.

The children stare as mums walk past

A school runs joy a nervous laugh

That sees no soul as thoughts are cast

Their eyes look down and cross the path.

My callused hands and grubby nails

Grip plastic bags that hold my life

And heelless shoes pace endless trails

That tread beyond this bitter plight.

******************

This poem has been written for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt challenge

image courtesy http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrosimoes7/3148834712/

A Christmas Wish: Poetry by Pete Marshall

A Christmas Wish

Darkened nights have come too soon 

As daylight saves the winters day

The wind that blows and rocks the trees

Its branches dance a frantic sway.

The spiders webs have disappeared

As rain has washed them all away

And hope is lost as candles burn

To save the lights of yesterday.

When hope will ride across the sky

And bring the joys to all who’s good

Your children’s eyes will open wide

And feel the pain that neither should.

For Tuesdays child is full of grace

Yet dares to ask what angers me

As wind blows through those hidden gaps

And chills the souls of all who flee

From truth that waits on Christmas morn

When roots are shown beneath the tree

And children's tears are all too real

As gifts are passed from you and me.

*************

Every now & then I receive an email, or a Twitter, thanking me for my collection of poetry about My Struggle With Unemployment. This is a collection of work that is very real to me, and the comments that I receive are very uplifting...because these comments aren't praising my work but actually thanking me for writing this series as it has helped them come to terms with their own struggles. Although it doesn't help my situation it does lift me to know that somehow, somewhere, my words have made a difference.

I haven't written something for this series for a while, thankfully I have had One Stop Poetry to keep me busy as I threw myself into its creation, but yesterday I received another kind email which in turn inspired me to write A Christmas Wish.

We are now into November, the nights are longer, the rain is falling heavily and there is a serious chill in the air, yet Christmas is coming and as I am still unemployed money is even tighter! This poem is a reference to my hopes, that I am able to give my children a magical Christmas and bring them the presents they so deserve for they are wonderful people that I love dearly.Yet in their innocent eyes they will gauge their gifts on whether they have been good or not...and I so do not want them to think they haven't. I will struggle through Christmas and I will make it special for them...but at what cost? That's the bitter pill that unemployment brings.

*******************

I have entered this poem into One Shot Wednesday, a special day that unites poets, every week, from around our globe at One Stop Poetry. Opens 10pm UK time, 5pm Est, Tuesdays and open for submission all day Wednesday.

Image courtesy creative commons flicr http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_r/

A Moment Framed: By Pete Marshall

A Moment Framed

by Pete Marshall

This lonely place within my mind

Reflects upon the clouding sky

As fossils lay across the beach 

And rock pools filled with shallow life

The black that flows across the bay

That shades the sun and paints the grey

That holds my mind in withered frame

That wants no more to play your games

I walk across the rocky path

Where seaweed lays in scattered death

I hear the crash of coming waves

And welcome them to take my breath

********************

This piece has been written for the One Shoot Sunday Picture Prompt Challenge

The Estuary: A Poem by Pete Marshall

The Estuary

Please visit One Stop Poetry to read my exclusive poem

*************

Remember, Remember: A Poem by Pete Marshall

Remember, Remember

by Pete Marshall

Glitter falls and sparkles bright

open mouths absorb delight

flares that shoot across the stars

smoke that chokes the weeping heart

jackets hot with molten fat

children warm with scarf & hat

lanterns glow on frosty nights

bangers shared are warm delights.

Logs that crackle on the fire

waxen faces, heat perspire

flames that rise toward the sky

lick through masks of wicked lies

that curl a lip in twisted hate

as flesh is burned and anger sate

for pennies bought this funeral pyre

and treason tore through his desire.

*****************

Remember, Remember the 5th of November! Every year in the Uk we celebrate Bonfire Night. A time when a guy is made and thrown on the fire as fireworks are released into the nights sky. But as with so many traditions its true meaning has so often been overlooked. The guy was Guy Fawkes who, along with his comrades, tried to kill the English King James I and replace him with a Catholic Monarch. Having been captured an tried for treason, Guy Fawkes was to jump from the hangman's platform and break his neck on the fall, thus saving himself from being hung, drawn & quartered.

This is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry.

image care of creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/a11sus/