leaves are turning red
birds are on their journey home
distant sense of joy

why are you and daddy
always arguing
the little girl asks
her mother

we are not arguing
her mother answers
we are just exploring
different opinions

midnight
stillness
wakefulness

making bread
helps me
to connect
with myself

kneading the dough
tells me
that persistence
is key
to achieving my goals

taking the bread
out of the oven
is a ritual that tells me
that all will be fine

smile
she said
and picked up
the broken cup
a  smile can mend
whatever is broken

from the safety of her home
she watches people passing by
and wonders whether
she should go out

observing people‘s behaviour
she painfully realises
that they are seemingly oblivious
to the dangers of the virus

so she sighs and decides to stay at home

we planned to meet
but were both too busy
and could not find
a convenient time

now we are in lockdown
and I do not know
when we are allowed
to meet again

I am sad and wonder
if it was wise
to choose being busy
over seeing a friend

they say:
you are what you read

I must be a hopeless romantic

I always thought
I knew who I was
but not being able
to leave the house
gives me the space
to discover myself

black
white
really

she does not write
he is concerned
her words had given
him pleasure
a sense that
he was not alone
her sudden silence
intensely saddens him

man
woman
deceit

waiting
today
tomorrow

knit knit purl knit
her needles clink
her fingers race
knit knit purl knit
no time to think
she found her pace
knit knit purl knit

rainy and bleak town
smileless faces rushing past
sadness engulfs me

what does it mean
when a man says
I love you
the little girl asks

it is meaningless
her mother replies

she picks up
her phone
and reads
his message:
darling,
arrived in Shanghai,
hot and rainy,
busy schedule,
can’t call every day,
see you
next week

she sighs
and wipes
a tear
from her cheek
as she remembers
smelling
the other woman’s
perfume
when he kissed her
on his return
from Shanghai

I see
you smile
when you
talk to
your cat

I sense
your joy
when you
look into
her eyes

I feel
your love
when you
gently call
her name

I wonder
why I never
see you
talking to people
with so much
passion and joy

sleep
he
says

I am not tired
she
responds

whatever
I attempt
is discredited

whenever
I try to help
I am pushed away

if whatever
I do
is wronged
why
am I still doing it

you can
do it
he demands

I can
do it
she responds

why do you
not do it
impatiently
he asks

I am not
encouraged
invitingly
she smiles

waiting for the day
when all the leaves are coloured
expectation of joy

if I understood
what makes you smile
I would give it to you

she checks
her phone
expecting
to see his reply

she does not know
that he regrets
having written
to her in the early
hours of the day

she thus keeps
checking her phone
hoping to get
his response today

I can feel you
before you gently touch me
I sense your presence
even if you are not here
I listen to your voice
without you saying anything
I smell your skin
although you have already left
it is my memory of you
which makes me believe
that you are here

y
e
s

run
run
don’t miss
the train

smile
smile
forget
the pain

black coffee
strong coffee
bewitching smell
seductive taste
hopeful promise
happy me

how does one
get out of
this mess
she asks

I do not
know
I answer

lines
circles
entanglement

dark sky and no moon
fleeting images of clouds
grieving is my soul

she looks
at the
broken cup

just like
my life
she sighs

she picks
up the
pieces

undecided
what
to do next

plan
action
success

I like islands as
they let me escape
from the drudgery
of everyday life.
Once I land on an island
I cut off the rope
that secured my boat.
Then I open
my arms and heart widely
allowing freedom to replace
repression and fear.
After a while I am me again
and ready to take on
the impossible.
Then it is time
to take my mobile
out of my bag and check
my text messages.

red wine
white wine
you & I

hot
passion
more

I could stop
and do something else
but I carry on
as I lack courage

you are so
different today
I do not see
desire in your eyes
but resignation
and a sense
that things will
never be the same
where are your smiles
and your belief that
everything you touch
will magically transform
I am sad as I  sense
that you are
anticipating the end

the sound of your cello
touches me
and sends shivers
down my spine
it is electrifying
and promises so much
and increases my desire
to rest in your arms

I came
because you are
from my country

I came
because I love
the sound of the cello

I came
because I needed
inspiration

his
mine
ours

night
anxiety
awake

lightening
thunder
summer

sleep
dream
relax

ok
I talk *******
so what

ok
I am crazy
do I care

ok
you leave me
does it matter

do not be afraid
go for it
determined
with power
and joy

do not be afraid
it is your life
your choice

do not be afraid
take it
you deserve it
just smile
it is easy

you
me
chaos

I am seeking
but I cannot find.

I am passionately seeking
but I cannot find.

I am desperately seeking
but I cannot find.

Do I know what I am looking for?

rain
enchantment
Scotland

I have not seen you
for a while
I have not heard from you since
you last wrote
I have almost forgotten
that you once encouraged me
now I am ready
to make the move
but I cannot tell you
as you might have forgotten
that we could have been friends