September To Go
A leaf attack (softly fallen)
The autumn comes and it's golden
Early autumn wander through Northway's fated fields
in search of permissive reserve, heath, and heather
Where seasons converge…
The hopes we had for harvest in August went astray
And now a bitter sweet spring set in autumn
Has taken its place…
And how fortunate to have a spring to come
When for many there is none
Down the steps over the burrows in the sand
The leaves begin to land
A leaf attack (softly fallen)
The autumn comes and it's golden
(c) and (p) 2025 Ian Roure
Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup
What's the harm?
There must be more to life than all this
Limiting science that they heed
What's the harm?
Statistical signifigance - a sugar pill in your hour of need
And in the summer garden a sudden shadow falls
A nagging feeling and frequent flare up
Harsh words duly deflected turn to the one you trust
A double daily dose of Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup
Drifting in a bubble made of
echoes of you
The voices ring true
Looking to the tealeaves and the palm for a clue
And Mrs. Winslow makes them self scarce
When the cold daylight cuts through…
What's the harm?
The message from the village is the
Motives of big pharma are in doubt
What's the harm?
Mrs. Winslow has the answers
There's ne need to try to work it out.
Mrs. Winslow makes them self scarce…
© and (p) Ian Roure 2025
Higher than the Rest
Vampire gammons seduced by aliens right on the Edgeware Road
Check in at three at reception register the start of the episode
Merge with the titans of success
Upwardly floating there with the rest
Bean-free executives stay higher than the rest.
A secret Lift to the secret seventh floor, fault quietly declard
Keycards, eggheads: compensation from the cox-comb concierge
Ascension day - a nod from the
maitre d'
Black pudding sceptre, crumpet and crown
Breakfast with the elite
Today we'll concede defeat
Tomorrow you're on the street
Merge with the titans of success,
Upwardly floating there with the best
Bean-free executives stay
higher than the rest
Higher than the rest
© and (p)2025 Ian Roure
Summertown Autumn
Summertown autumn:
motorised mowers every day
Summertown autumn:
Keeping the growing grass at bay
No hedge untrimmed, no stone misplaced,
no leaf remains unraked
Summertown autumn, such a joy to contemplate…
It's another grey and rainy English Saturday
All the kids are hanging out at Starbucks,
or so they say!
Caroline and Anne are testing out
new and exciting ways,
Upgrading social status while they play,
A five-fingered discount but it won't pay…
Summertown autumn:
Security's calling off the fun
Summertown autumn:
“Young ladies think about what you have done”
Your mothers understand it was the same when they were young
Summertown autumn:
Back to boredom you must come…
Caught a little fall in Summertown today…
(c) and (p) 2025 Ian Roure
Summer Rain Reverie
Finally a break in time and office space
Under Cambrian sky the green and grey.
Anoraks and brittlestems, indoor games
We didn't come for the sun anyway…
I'm looking back at the days of the summer rain
I'm looking back at the days above the strain in the summer rain
Path not taken chosen in the summer rain.
Bright inside the evening play
Strings interweave
Plectrum and counterpoint - the brink of a dream
And at freeform academy listening for the key
I caught a glimse of gaslight burning thrown in for free….
© and (p) 2025 Ian Roure
Subspace Theatre
This year:
A ruined season - dark theatres and dark dark days of empty seats
Punters forced to retreat
This year:
Hazzards abound - falling to earth as unseen Gama Rays invade now-unsafe-space
A fresh approach as the stage door closes
Now take a side-step nearer
A venue in the ether:
Subspace theatre!
This year:
Many new faces converge on subspace auditorium - no first night left un-run
This year:
Amid the sadness - some comfort beamed to earth-bound audience
despite the odds against
Alonso's shipwreck guided by Ariel
Finds a new haven thanks to Prospero's spell
Miranda as well…
© and (p) 2025 Ian Roure
World of Illusion
The Wary stray behind Cavalier lines
The restless garden revellers unwind - but caution causes outcry!
World of Illusion: is what we crave
Unwelcome intrusion must be put to shame!
In the windless, warm late summer light at ease
The village houses behind the trees
All is well it would seem…
World of Illusion: is what we crave
Unwelcome intrusion must be put to shame
Called out by Cavalier spy
"Don't you know it's over? It is, because we have said so. Now you must let go
Whatever misfortune will come, it's clear who has won…"
© and (p) 2025 Ian Roure
January Sun
(Fallen St. Elian)
Jackdaw perched on Hawthorne branch, blackbird on the grass
Cold and still the winter trees
Heaven's overcast
Some rain came just now
Left drops dripping from the boughs
Pale frost in the early hours,
pale sun barely rise
Dimly lights the afternoon night comes before its time
Pictured in its frame
In slow-motion change
Day after day fallen Elian
Amid our sorry plight defies the dying of the light
Fallen Saint Elian, languid not undone like January Sun
Rooks perch survey from frozen slate
Grey barren branches spike and sway
Long days march by in place, long hours disolve leave little trace…
© and (p) 2025 Ian Roure