poetry pRO     Pauline Kirk
Translation Café (interview p58)

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ppf SHOP ONLINE      MEMBERS’ COMPS & CALLS 31st May, Frogmore
 
MEMBERS’ EVENTS/VENUES Apr: 17th, North Meets South – Julia Deakin, Michael Di Placido and Anne Stewart
plus Stuart Handysides and Pam Thompson (online, booking now, free entry);
18th, NWK Stanza; Shortlands Poetry Circle: 20th (online) & 28th (live)
 
see/hear: YouTube – Carole Bromley reading her poem Atlas Goes to See His GP

 

 

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       Kennedy
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   Kay Syrad
   Elisabeth Rowe (poems)
   Mary Robinson (biog)
   John Gilham

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May26: Frogmore

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featured poet – Patricia Bishop (    -2015)

Woman Washing

At the side
of the porcelain sink
is a cracked jug.
 
Her thumb splays
across its surface
as she lifts it, bends forward
 
and thrusts the warm water
over her hair, rubs in the shampoo.
Violets this week.
 
Makes a great froth
on the top of her head
as she knuckles the lather.
 
then three lifted jugs
till all turns smooth and black.
Straightens, half naked.
 
I could swing from the strong balance
of her arms as she rubs and turbans
the towel about her.
 
Now fresh water
and face to waist
lathered and washed.
 
I think she must be beautiful.
Finger my own white dress
with the rabbits.
 
Rub a tuck of its cotton
against the smooth silk of her blouse,
gently touch the lines of stitches,
 
till she suddenly turns and I step back.
‘Leave it alone.’ she says
but not shouting.
 

Patricia Bishop

published in Smiths Knoll;
in anthology, Parents, Enitharmon in association with Second Light

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