Photography © Jennifer Matthews

 

Parky Poetry

My clock’s been changed by Parkinson’s –
of quivers, shakes I was aware,
less so, new contracts signed in bed
as kicking strikes out in my legs.
Insomnia (plus football kit)
brings overtime for laptop dance,
as I smith words, play poetry,
fill overtime as versify.
Keen adolescence woke once more –
a pensioner who writes – the key
that board replacing scrawling ink
of unintended curlicues.
So screen time my horology,
collective poets, company,
the new hangout, Zoom Open Mic,
together slur and shuffle through
our poor creative all-style works,
amazed no longer lost for words.
We read, write on a level plain,
all ages struggling through the pain
barrier to craft Parky lines,
and learn the value of a like,
as fellow pilgrims’ hearts affirm.

 

Stephen Kingsnorth, retired to Wales, UK, from ministry in the Methodist Church due to Parkinson’s Disease, has had pieces published by on-line poetry sites, printed journals and anthologies. Writing has become an addiction, unaffected by hand tremors or walking imbalance – at least words can maintain a rhythm in their own right.

Poet/Photographer Jennifer Matthews’ poetry has been published in Nepal by Pen Himalaya and locally by the Wilderness Retreat Writers Organization, Midway Journal, The Somerville Times, Ibbetson Street Press and Boston Girl Guide. Jennifer was nominated for a poetry award by the Cambridge Arts Council for her book of Poetry Fairy Tales and Misdemeanors. Her songs have been released nationally and internationally and her photography has been used as covers for a number of Ibbetson Street Press poetry books and has been exhibited at The Middle East Restaurant, 1369 Coffeehouses, Sound Bites Restaurant in Somerville and McLean Hospital.