Trapped in a tail spin
shot up and bleeding, no hope
What went through your mind?
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019
Haiku: The Rear Gunner
Tag: poetry
Poem: ‘English Blue’ (for the fallen at Hastings and beyond)
Walk with me
into the grey breaking dawn
where that sticking ridge of blue –
an English blue
rolls on into soft distances
and strange dancing names
Stand with me
by those set whispering stones
in a steadfast line –
a sore English line
of rasping pipes and howling socks
mouthing our memory
like a warning to tomorrow
a land forlorn to all but itself
Then help me to bury him
not on some crying strand –
in firm English land
where hallows’ calls are grounded
our grief laid open
in the whitening bones of heroes
on this high scoured hill
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019, 2011
first published in ‘Poetry 24’ June 23 2011
Haiku: Gatekeeper 2
Deceive me, won’t you;
such looks hook the unwary.
Now sliver away…
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019
Poem: ‘Picture’
There’s a picture
it’s been hanging on my wall
You know it tells a story
the truth of it all
Now it’s time to tell you
with the sun streaming in
After all the silent years
I should begin
For love is like the summer time
in the northern lands
This cold barren soil
through my hands:
And we shall never pass this way
So how long did she stand? I don’t know.
Waiting – those poor women –
for a tall mast to show
Yes, he was a treasure
fresh flowers in the jar
Cap in hand, feet ten and two
like an evening star
Most nights she takes the air
down by the sea
Out there she can feel him
where the ocean sets her free
For love is a precious time
a sacred space
Give into the water
and its healing grace
And we shall always have this day
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019
Haiku: Brexit, Europe musing
Plebiscite take down
Peoples in peril, ignored
The ruling obscure
copyright Leofwine Tanner 2019
Ciscography 