Poem of the Month – April 2023 – David Cookson

The Poem of the Month for April 2023, selected by 2023 Anthology Editors, Maria Vouis and Rob Ferris, is Musings on a Chinese Scroll by David Cookson. The commended poems for April are The Old Horns by Ivan Rehorek aka Avalanche and The Piano by Louise Nicholas.


Musings on a Chinese Scroll
David Cookson

Impossible cliffs thrust
into broad-brush clouds,
their conifers clawing naked rock
bereft of bird or life
until bottom left, a sage,
crossing a bridge,
hat, sandals and staff:
five brush strokes
that touch perfection —
remind of other complements;
a curve of throat,
misty crags,
your lips, parted,
just enough,
just before.


The Old Horns
Ivan Rehorek

Take up the old horns 
And play them right 
On the road to the unbeaten sky 
 
That daily service smile and birdsong 
Out upon the living stage – 
Take up the old horns 
 
And wear them right, 
Let the winds blow 
On the road to the unbeaten sky. 
 
And it’s long since past 
Searching for another journey, 
So take up the old horns 
 
Like a kick to the head 
Just to score another goal 
On the road to the unbeaten sky… 
 
And if you don’t know where to go, 
Try looking down at your feet 
And take up the old horns 
Out there on the road to the unbeaten sky! 


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