Author: Chris Goode

I don’t know whose idea it was.I figured it was just becauseI was there and so was she. I stayed for a day or so.She asked was I eager to go.I said not particularly. So she asked me to stay instead.Could’ve bitten off her tongue, she said.She scared the hell out of me. I slowly…

I don’t love you less, although you Stalk my bare feet in the mornings Claim rudely half of my toast and Spill the coffee with a tail wag When you command most of the couch By extending your limbs exaggeratedly I don’t love you less My little sultan of sofa I let your head rest…

Is that you Back already dressed in blue Like the sea today. The sky too I thought you said you were leaving, for good taking your forever lying love to who knows where that left me in streets where wind blows through open windows and strokes the broken sob where hearts lie downand beat loud…

At the end of the road is a pot holeIt’s been there for a year at leastit’s grown so very largeit could be home to a beast At the end of the road there’s a pot holequite deep it now appearsIt’s been filled with earth and a saplingthat’s watered by motorists tears at the end…

I opened a bottleAnd it opened me,Secrets spilling out,Emotions flowing,Visceral, bloody,Red as the wine,Until both the bottleAnd I were empty.

(Allow me to translate) Like an alligator struggling at a river’s wildest confluenceLike a translator working at an international conference Outrageously this train has left without its guardSubconsciously my brain is working extra hard Sometimes it leaves me so verminous that I cannot copulateSometimes it makes me so nervous that I cannot concentrate In nursery…

A Crust of green and whiteHoar, grass and hair frostSoon to be lost.As Spring’s warmth slowly thaws Winter’s blight.The dawn sun turns the water silver.Then Orange and bright. Longer days and less night.From beneath the earth bulbs.Seeds start to push and fight.To work their way to the sun’s delight.To appear yellow, blue, red and white….

“We are now approaching Seaford…”came the voice of the train,as it slowed. We had come to look for our new home –our last home: a home to settle and stay in:a home here, perhaps. We wandered slowly from the train down to the seaand there was the sea. The first thing was the sea, next…

I walk down Rodmell’s busy street with my two stout sticks,with a bright yellow jacket on, for warning so much traffic,bought for me by my loving wife. If I’m lucky, she comes along as well,Wearing thick gloves and furry hat.Sometimes it’s with someone else,OK, but not the same as a loving chat. I am generally…

There’s an ongoing struggle to survive!Somewhere, a career path is doubtful,Somehow, there’s a need to thrive! This Curriculum Vitae goes live!‘Learning the ropes’ isn’t very hopeful,There’s an ongoing struggle to survive! Imagination goes into overdrive!Job-to-job, getting ever stealthful;Somehow, there’s a need to thrive! Rising suspicion is fast to arrive!Tactics are getting less useful,There’s an ongoing…

1.Little by little, it’s taking shape:Not quite ready though.A bit of this, bit of that, bit of the other thing: got to get it all just so. With a tiny tweak here, and a slight tap there:don’t need that part, better check this part, nothing too radical, twiddling till it’sSpot on, top to toe. 2.Won’t…

Early morning,Sun shiningThrough the curtains,I dreamt of California.Warm air, bright light,Tall redwood treesScreening the forest floorFrom the heat.A river, fast and clear,Water tumbling, noisily,Through rocksOut of Yosemite.Mountain passes,Blocked by snow.Death ValleySearing in the sun. A home, back yardCovered by decking,A shaded placeTo sit and talk.A jigsaw, on a table,Part finished,Waiting for the final pieceThat will…

Mischa asked ‘What is a poem?’And I saw A young woman,Back in the Sixties,Bag on her shoulder,Low slung jeansAnd sandals,Smiling to herselfHead high,Fluid, Free,As she walkedIn the sun.

Before I learnt to control my feelings I used to feed off others Especially anger When someone close was angry I would think it was directed at me Then I would eclipse their hurt With my own Instead of receiving sympathy They suffered my pent-up rage Without proper help To recognise and understand The power…

Standing on the deck a companyresplendent in naval livery salutelittle ships and dinghies re-enactingtheir loyalty willing to respond for king and country bringing homeheroes to live and fight again the company of greed and twistedlies go hand in handdenying honesty, corrupted by power The company we once shared decimated again, living under showersof a poisoned…