Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Stephen House - Two Poems

Stephen House is an Australian poet, playwright and actor. He has won many awards and nominations. He’s received several international literature residencies from The Australia Council and an Asia-link India residency. His chapbook “real and unreal” was published by ICOE Press. He’s published often and performs his acclaimed monologues widely.


***
salvation   

hopeful genius dirty collar 

situation wonder claiming 

biting pencil scratching guess 

crossword puzzle giving answers

chewing gum tied back hair 

fiddle greasy grey pot smoking

is anyone granting wish on hope 

be it lost or found in this


pink-lipped mummies designer gym suits 

platform sneakers outing granted  

selfie shots gossip babble 

murmur giggle text on phone 

takeaway coffee gripping sipping 

keeping fast step separate pacing 

walk hard team power beauty temple 

pouting flee delivers health   


deal constructed business suits 

let’s go hey mate cool in awesome

check out new porn up online 

no lunch spot sit down here allowed

in shut down mode pull compensation 

feel strange new life in whine

did you see gay dude look at you 

paranoia sings fear gamble


and them dot tightly small group thrice 

on well-mowed lawn hedge square 

as kids run shouting cake shop gifting 

wait birds squawk hopeful scrap 

day party happen easy rules 

social distance not held why

naught work no job or school 

manipulation welfare scandal  


and me alone same time day night 

no change i still cruise wander

a swim they say no too cold bloke 

gape smile back on chat concern

in plunge to sea remind my real 

salvation claim i scribe own journey

pack my bag when restricting travel lifts 

gain back my queer life amble




***

2 survival 


woven angst strangle

intervene thought

relieving


grasp dragging suffocate

abnormal squirm 

wallow


tread beat relentless

nil flicker 

revival


exist sharp pain wrapping

clamp usual 

becoming 


breathe in healing question

is flee black 

obtainable


light darkness twin opposite

rationale spelling 

possible


rally slow rising 

take step glimpsing 

courage


recovery game muster

slide hopeful true 

stronger


walk lone swim coastline

reflect silent gift 

union


nurture preen calm trust

survival can will be 

me 


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