As the Notes Fade

© 2014 expresseum poetics press www.expresseumpoetics.org.uk Authors retain sole copyright of their individual poems, lines or fragments. Poetry and visual image collage: Mark Goodwin Visual images: Nikki Clayton Poetry: Helen Fortescue-Poole, Mark Goodwin, Mike Green, Sheila Lockett, Sheila Sharpe, Elaine Wheeler, Pat White. The poems in this pamphlet were created from the Locks, Bells & Pealing Wallpaper series of poetry workshops facilitated by Mark Goodwin in 2013. The series of poetry workshops was a Writing East Midlands’ Write Here Residency. Funded by: Writing East Midlands, Museum Development East Midlands & expresseum poetics

a crimson leaf

spirals

from a deeply foliaged tree

late september w

ind blow

s through the park draw

s scent from the pines

sound wakens neurons

hairs trembling as

autumn arrives, a familiar comforting chink in the warm gold wedding ring of the wheel of the year

step by spiral step as through labyrinthine meditation, re-counting

the resonant pilgrimage

tune

on

the

edge

of recognition

rises

then

falls

rusted. silent

rustling leaves

thud of conkers

pebbles glisten at the bottom and that is time here

bent and distorted, but so clean

so solemn and deep and unhurried

like a gold drifting feather

in the sun

wiggly lines of sound displayed straight, even,

marked with bars and a treble clef

it is a certain alchemy that can transform ashes

into a brass and leather cacophonic peal

finge

rs m

ark

pape

r w

ith dragonflies, butterflies

smudged musical notes soft silver teardrops

as the notes fade

the hum lingers

charcoal echoed

dead trees pointing

chalk echoed

you

wal

k ou

t int

o th

e po

nd, e

atin

g ai

r gr

eedy

. Tos

sing

wed

ding

ban

ds

in y

our

wak

e ju

st to

see

them

spl

ash

fingers grow thin and rings slip

orange song wordless as each tiny clunk each

released leaf makes

from aeroplane above engine sound falls around us

cars pass by on the road

cockatiels rattle through pebbles searching for insects

hiss of wings

pigeons in formation fly in to roost, settle, softly cooing

all leaf is here ! we know

scent

of dahlias

chrysanthe mums

yellow orange green something just seen

far away places

a bell echoed

ring inside

trees like

wedding bands

stones tossed into ponds ; ripples

a tower surrounded

by air’s

halo the halo

fattening on

vibration

intentions through stone

through this brick ringing chamber