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Tuesday 30 November 2010

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

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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/

Saturday 27 November 2010

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.

Tuesday 23 November 2010

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.


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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

Saturday 20 November 2010

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?


Tuesday 16 November 2010

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.

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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

Sunday 14 November 2010

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.

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


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

Tuesday 9 November 2010

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.

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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/

Sunday 7 November 2010

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

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

Saturday 6 November 2010

Tuesday 2 November 2010

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.

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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/