Following the publication of In Small Measure (May 2011 – see Open Poetry at www.openpoetry.org.uk), this site has changed. Rather than a broad selection of sonnets and other poems, one of 8 poems will be randomly selected for display each time this page is loaded. Over time, the stock of 8 poems used in this selection will also be changed.
Much of my poetry is intended for oral delivery and acting, as well as for reading and some video performances are available by clicking on the links in the right-hand column.
Osric's Tale
He called me a waterfly. I heard himplain as I'm standing here. Said it to his friend —
good looking boy, and cultured in a way
you don't often find round here — but not for me,
not... not with... you know. Oh, call it a whim
if you like — the hat — but for him to send
me up like that! I was in the king's pay,
a right royal messenger. So was he
really mad, you ask. I think not. Sharp, sly,
cruel, bitter, twisted even, but he knew
what he was doing, oh yes, so why should I
be sorry that he's dead? I'll tell you why.
Now we must learn Norwegian ways, who's who,
what's in, what's out, what words can make you die.