Townscape 1
Striving-for-effect cornice, blunt pediment.
Forceful rhododendrons propel macromolecules.
Hived-off granite trench.
Bus creaks, hesitates…
Where Apollo dissolved intent.
Townscape 2
Colonnaded stairwell dwindles.
Gene-control pathways stiffen azaleas.
Hewed flint consumes time.
Playground swing flurries…
Where Gaia unwrapped the rum.
Townscape 3
Lumpish column, beams.
Chemical signals jostle ivy.
Rough limestone facing.
Gusts tumble bin…
Where Horus disposed of girly pinafores.
Townscape 4
Inward-sloping wall constricts.
Winter cherry admits biological universe.
Half-lit bas-relief.
Morrisons bag deflates…
Where Aphrodite off-loaded taut brogues.
Townscape 5
Ashlar, upright, gouged.
Lilies nod yielding tissue.
Mouldering paint on stucco.
Skunk roach prangs…
Where Demeter bent, feebly.
—
In 1998, Christopher Barnes won a Northern Arts writers award. In July 2000 he read at Waterstones bookshop to promote the anthology Titles Are Bitches. Christmas 2001 he debuted at Newcastle’s famous Morden Tower doing a reading of poems. Each year he read for Proudwords lesbian and gay writing festival and partook in workshops. 2005 saw the publication of his collection LOVEBITES published by Chanticleer Press, 6/1 Jamaica Mews, Edinburgh.
THE BIG WINDOWS REVIEW 