Lush asked me to write spoken word pieces capturing the feeling of ‘re-balance’; the feeling of restorative harmony after unrest or turmoil. This was for a soundtrack to be played in the Lush Mood space at this year’s Showcase in Manchester. Below are three poems; Allongé, Beachy Head, and When the Rain Passes.
Be prepared to cringe at the audio recordings.
Allongé.
breathe
for one
umbrella tree in youthful green
for two
support from hidden hands for three
and grounded by heavy life
for four
follow a half turn promenade
for five
and six
allongé
a stretch in search of balance
hold
stay
back into first
Beachy Head
Beachy Head
Torn earth
My sighing lungs chilled in the morning crust
In a panic, my feet tease the cliff edge
But like chalky powder through my fingers
I feel them ease
Where I find balance, I find potential
Caught between life and death
Static,
I am soothed in a tranquil gaze
Where one move off-kilter changes everything
but, for now, at least
Nothing else remains but the ocean
and I am
longing
romantic,
reasonless,
longing
simply to place my feet where few have trod before.
When the Rain Passes
When the rain passes
Roads become brooks in the early hours
All’s still when the rain passes
Plucked
from clouds
Last drops
Pointing
Pointing, pointing
pointing, pointing, pointing
To the wet soil
Thin pin mist, hit by rays of glorious light
Fresh clean air when the rain passes
Yesterday’s slings and arrows
Now fine glass
Resting on the rims of the
terracotta pots in the garden
Clear thin pin mist, from rain
It passes
Harry Browse 