March 2021 Winner

Sip of Hope

Marion Horton

 

Lips close to mouth purse.

Another sip.

Swirl and with

a gold rim glint

flip, chink, be upturned.

Practiced. Learned.

 

Black dots of ravens

cursing.

Owls screeching.

Rising from the honeyed base.

Spreading omens – last of breaths.

Countless deaths.

 

Silent clothes –

no jangly, beady.

Greasy apron, undressed curls

tucked behind unjewelled ears.

No warm black fur.

Just her.

 

She looks twice.

Shapes shift to lucky oak.

Healthy jug meets second sight.

Vaticinator vaccinate.

Spreading ease,

With soothing leaves.

 

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