Grass Roots

Grass Roots

29th May 2020

       ‘the whitest, frothiest, blossomest blossom that there ever could be’

                         (Dennis Potter, playwright, in his last interview, broadcast

April 1994)   


wake each dawn in the present tense 

let blackcaps with flutes serenade me

drink in the birch, the cherry and cream

in bloom like a bridesmaid’s bouquet 


let blackcaps with flutes serenade me 

count the sights of purple as I walk 

in bloom like a bridesmaid’s bouquet  

peals of campanula, clumps of catnip


count the sights of purple as I walk 

lavender with scent like slowing heartbeat 

peals of campanula, clumps of catnip

breathing in a world come back to life 


lavender with scent like slowing heartbeat 

shaven lawns of watermelon fresh 

breathing in a world come back to life 

teach myself the calls of evensong 


shaven lawns of watermelon fresh 

a pitying of doves that coo on ridges 

teach myself the calls of evensong

comfort as fat-bellied pigeons purr 


a pitying of doves that coo on ridges 

sinking supermoon pinks up the dark 

comfort as fat-bellied pigeons purr 

leave my hiding place and join the world


sinking supermoon pinks up the dark 

drink in the birch, the cherry and cream

leave my hiding place and join the world

wake each dawn in the present tense 


Bernadette Lynch