Christopher Barnes
after Riot Days by Maria Alyokhina of Pussy Riot
DWINDLING KITTY
Cold wave homestretches...'do svidaniya!'
Effigies flame on pack ice.
Age-long curfews, recording.
No picnic to lull —
Fugitives keep drifting.
We fail to maintain Naturalism.
STEADFASTLY UNDER WRAPS
Ragged English pidgins the message.
Door thumps compliment facts.
Bulbs off unpredictably.
Glimpse heavens —
Sun retreats.
Choreography goes ham.
PIRATED DUDS
Constabulary spotlights rogue's gallery.
Bo-peep tresses under frosty hat —
Specs deviate a posture.
By matins we fade.
Subplot has legs too.
SKYPE TO FOUR WINDS
Backwoods are prudent.
Aloof coots intuit raw deals.
News scrutiny went hoopla.
Bawling-out isn't a crime.
Let's try Total Theatre.
WARRANTS
Coffeehouse privy — immaculate sit-tight.
The fuzz dam rights-of-way.
Putin broadcasts harangued stanzas.
Vodaphone clicked taut.
Attorney yells 'run'.
We mime low comedy.
Christopher Barnes' first collection
LOVEBITES was published by Chanticleer Press. He reads for Proudwords lesbian and gay writing festival each year, partakes in workshops, and co-edited the poetry magazine Interpoetry.
previous page     contents     next page
2 Comments:
Fantastic, punchy poems Christopher!! I'd love to read your collection, LOVEBITES, was having trouble tracking down a copy, is it still available to order anywhere?
I'm afraid the publisher of Lovebites is with us no more and all copies are sold, JeromeBerglund.
Post a Comment
<< Home