I’m not so good at being led,
told, you know, what I should think.
Why should you know and so predict,
unless assume my worldview yours?
‘And’ for ‘of’ – is that your excuse?
But word association takes!
Was that your thought, by capture words,
that I’d be lead in thinking terms?
Where else would crown, thorns followed, lead?
But I’m now used to lateral flow,
don’t walk so easy on the lead.
It could be Shakespeare, monarchy,
hubris reigns over divine right?
Perhaps it’s global empire truth,
that power corrupts, is destined death,
the dangers outside overwhelm,
and human rights cries pierce the sky?
But think on roses, cactus too,
blackberry beauty, defence fixed;
is this royal protection squad?
And as to crown of shimmer gold,
I see my tooth cap, bald top head,
and there again, my lateral flow.
Stephen Kingsnorth (Cambridge M.A., English & Religious Studies), retired to Wales from ministry in the Methodist Church due to Parkinson’s Disease, has had pieces published by on-line poetry sites, printed journals and anthologies, including Poetry Potion.
His blog is at https://poetrykingsnorth.wordpress.com/