A telescope stands by the railing
its eye turned out to sea
the ocean is there for a sixpence
the Lounges of Dark are free.

A little brass coin can be bought
bickering gulls on the rails
fishingboats ride in the shelters
darkness fills their sails.

John John the wind is wild
I shall keep my sixpence for sweets
strangers hide in their raincoats
rain falls on the streets.

*****

John Gallas writes: “I’ve just completed (draft 10,000, or it feels like it) a collection called ’10X10′ which includes sets of 10 small, 3-verse, rhyming poems.  bearing in mind that they are unusual (so what’s new?)  This is number 3 from ‘ffenestri’, 10 Welsh encounters (v expressionist, reader-led) As I say, they are ‘different’ – but it wd be 1st publication/outing! I have more sonnets if they’re preferable.”

John Gallas, Aotearoa/NZ poet, published mostly by Carcanet. Saxonship Poet (see www.saxonship.org), Fellow of the English Association, St Magnus Festival Orkney Poet, librettist, translator and biker. 2025 Midlands Writing Prize winner. Presently living in Markfield, Leicestershire. Website is www.johngallaspoetry.co.uk which has a featured Poem of the Month, complete book list, links and news.  

Photo: “Lost at Sea” by SimplSam is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.