Sometimes Ruth writes poems – here are a few of her favourites.
A&E Support Worker
NHS numbers, alcometers, leaflets
for patients to practice origami
constant arrivals of bacon sarnies, lattes
overpriced WHSmith sweets, pizzas and protein shakes
idly raiding cupboards with stale porridge oats
dog eared ketchups from night staff burger runs
computers that never work and chairs
that give you back pain
necky nurses, demanding doctors, puzzling patients
crises resolved and people knitted back together
fuelled by endless supplies of NHS toast
emotional fires purged
with the darkest of humour
tear streaming stomach aching belly laughter
holding each other whilst the world tears our patients apart
Break up
Dolphins pirouetted
in the sun soaked sandy bay
we sat in our opposing kayaks
oars defensively across laps
It was the first day it had not rained in weeks
I wanted to forget the fights
welcome you like the sky
had accepted the sun
but we were as distant
as the facing cliffs
my sorrow as deep as the ocean
and you as cold
Enraged
I screamed
set phrases
from movies
out of control
then paddled off
leaving a trail of expletives
bobbing calmly in the ocean
expressionless and silent
you weren’t following me
Moving on
*Petrels are rare seabirds in New Zealand seen only when taking off at dawn from the mountains on Great Barrier Island.
thousands of steps
slowly undressing the night
crunching excited pebbles
sweat trapped under jumpers
we climbed higher
blustery exposed crown
dawn chorus rehearsals
fog closed in on all sides
sat watching our breath
we listened for the petrels
the day stretches and yawns
the birds get louder
quick
fog burns off
a valley appears
emerald trees
illuminating orange orb
refracting light onto
rich carpet of spectral greens
it was a moment so perfect, unexpected and brief
like our love
the window closes
mist curtains our view
silence thickens in reflective light
overwhelmed
we have forgotten the petrels
Writing
I used to send you
other people’s poems
and now
I write my own
-how I have grown
Ruth and Liam Go Places 