Long Poems About Risk
#risk
Lozzamus
Poem Published
4th Mar 2023 7:45pm
4th Mar 2023 7:45pm
Silent, Alone In The Garden (2)
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
Silence now. Sitting on the bench in the hut in the garden dedicated to the memory of her parents, she felt as if she was watching her life unfold. Her real mum grew up in York, along with the uncle who later adopted her - but not her dad, who spent his childhood in London. And although Dad shared the Harlesden surname and belonged to the Lancashire based clan, he only returned to the North occasionally. She herself was born in the West Country, in Cornwall.
Idyllic at first. Once more, she tasted the Cornish sea air, fresh and salty, and saw...
Silence now. Sitting on the bench in the hut in the garden dedicated to the memory of her parents, she felt as if she was watching her life unfold. Her real mum grew up in York, along with the uncle who later adopted her - but not her dad, who spent his childhood in London. And although Dad shared the Harlesden surname and belonged to the Lancashire based clan, he only returned to the North occasionally. She herself was born in the West Country, in Cornwall.
Idyllic at first. Once more, she tasted the Cornish sea air, fresh and salty, and saw...
#memories
#mystery
#risk
202 reads
0 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
24th Feb 2023 6:51pm
24th Feb 2023 6:51pm
Silence, Alone In The Garden
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
Early hours of the morning. She was still in the hut in the Remembrance Garden, part of the way through a cigarette. Forbidden to smoke there, but she continued, regardless of the rules. The Remembrance Garden belonged to her and to her late parents.
Before the fire, a lawn had stood here, surrounded by rose bushes. Back then, she'd often lingered a short distance away, paralysed by shyness as she'd watched the other kids from the School, wishing she could join them, aware that she was different, the daughter of the vice-principal there. Not a...
Early hours of the morning. She was still in the hut in the Remembrance Garden, part of the way through a cigarette. Forbidden to smoke there, but she continued, regardless of the rules. The Remembrance Garden belonged to her and to her late parents.
Before the fire, a lawn had stood here, surrounded by rose bushes. Back then, she'd often lingered a short distance away, paralysed by shyness as she'd watched the other kids from the School, wishing she could join them, aware that she was different, the daughter of the vice-principal there. Not a...
#sadness
#memories
#mystery #risk
#mystery #risk
309 reads
0 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
21st Feb 2023 7:39pm
21st Feb 2023 7:39pm
Silent, The Party And After
Two Years Earlier, Gavin
A pretty rubbish party all round. Kids throwing up or making out in corners. Moody hoodies. Philippa's secretive behaviour. And now all this with Terence Harlesden's sons, Steve and Scott.
I felt drunk, dizzy. So cold. Dripping rain. The sea making loads of noise in the background, like a monster coming to get me. Mist on my breath. Fingers frozen. Toes. Monster toes. And that awful déjà vu again... been here before, lying on the floor of an old fairground...people laughing, jeering.
I must have dozed off. I stood up. The...
A pretty rubbish party all round. Kids throwing up or making out in corners. Moody hoodies. Philippa's secretive behaviour. And now all this with Terence Harlesden's sons, Steve and Scott.
I felt drunk, dizzy. So cold. Dripping rain. The sea making loads of noise in the background, like a monster coming to get me. Mist on my breath. Fingers frozen. Toes. Monster toes. And that awful déjà vu again... been here before, lying on the floor of an old fairground...people laughing, jeering.
I must have dozed off. I stood up. The...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
221 reads
2 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
14th Feb 2023 6:39pm
14th Feb 2023 6:39pm
Silent, The Legacy
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
'How did my father get in so much debt?’ she said.
'Well, it's a long story,' Arthur said. 'Gambling, I'm afraid. He kept it a secret from your mother.'
Exactly what her adoptive parents had said, minus the gambling.
‘How long did he have a gambling problem for?'
'I really don't know. I was quite astonished to discover his gambling habits.'
'Didn't the police investigate the gambling debts?’
'Indeed. The police treated the unpaid gambling debts very seriously. They did a thorough job.’
...
'How did my father get in so much debt?’ she said.
'Well, it's a long story,' Arthur said. 'Gambling, I'm afraid. He kept it a secret from your mother.'
Exactly what her adoptive parents had said, minus the gambling.
‘How long did he have a gambling problem for?'
'I really don't know. I was quite astonished to discover his gambling habits.'
'Didn't the police investigate the gambling debts?’
'Indeed. The police treated the unpaid gambling debts very seriously. They did a thorough job.’
...
#mystery
#obsession
#risk
276 reads
2 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
10th Feb 2023 7:13pm
10th Feb 2023 7:13pm
Silent, At The Service Station
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
They stopped at a Service Station and found a table away from other customers. They bought coffees, no food. She gave a brief explanation, leaving out her thoughts on Agnes Harlesden and a possible affair between Dad and the woman with the dark hair. She'd considered discussing those with Arthur, but she needed to see whose side he would take first. Whether he'd insist she own up to the Summer School and return to her adoptive parents' home in North Yorkshire.
'Ah,' Arthur said finally, taking a thoughtful sip of coffee. 'So you decided you...
They stopped at a Service Station and found a table away from other customers. They bought coffees, no food. She gave a brief explanation, leaving out her thoughts on Agnes Harlesden and a possible affair between Dad and the woman with the dark hair. She'd considered discussing those with Arthur, but she needed to see whose side he would take first. Whether he'd insist she own up to the Summer School and return to her adoptive parents' home in North Yorkshire.
'Ah,' Arthur said finally, taking a thoughtful sip of coffee. 'So you decided you...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
248 reads
2 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
2nd Feb 2023 7:46pm
2nd Feb 2023 7:46pm
Silent, The Car Journey (2)
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
'None of my adoptive family know I'm here,' she blurted out to Arthur. 'My adoptive parents think I'm on a walking holiday with a group of friends. But I'm not a runaway, you know. I've got somewhere to stay and a job.'
In the driver seat, Arthur maintained a neutral expression. 'A job at the House serving meals?'
'I thought you already knew about it.'
'Know about what? None of this is making any sense to me. You haven't told me anything yet and I haven't seen you for nine or ten years.’
‘Agnes Harlesden.
...
'None of my adoptive family know I'm here,' she blurted out to Arthur. 'My adoptive parents think I'm on a walking holiday with a group of friends. But I'm not a runaway, you know. I've got somewhere to stay and a job.'
In the driver seat, Arthur maintained a neutral expression. 'A job at the House serving meals?'
'I thought you already knew about it.'
'Know about what? None of this is making any sense to me. You haven't told me anything yet and I haven't seen you for nine or ten years.’
‘Agnes Harlesden.
...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
258 reads
2 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
31st Jan 2023 6:57pm
31st Jan 2023 6:57pm
Silent, The Car Journey
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
'What would you like to do?' Arthur Harlesden said. ‘Coffee and a bite to eat at the Service Station.'
'Suppose so.'
Arthur started the engine and drove away into the night, past a gift shop and a mobile phone store and a guest house opposite a pub by a set of lights. He took the road further inland, by fields and rows of tiny aerials that resembled baby bulbs. She vaguely remembered these from ten years ago. 'I was sorry to hear about Lily,' she said, to break the silence.
'Thank you,' Arthur said. 'Three years ago it...
'What would you like to do?' Arthur Harlesden said. ‘Coffee and a bite to eat at the Service Station.'
'Suppose so.'
Arthur started the engine and drove away into the night, past a gift shop and a mobile phone store and a guest house opposite a pub by a set of lights. He took the road further inland, by fields and rows of tiny aerials that resembled baby bulbs. She vaguely remembered these from ten years ago. 'I was sorry to hear about Lily,' she said, to break the silence.
'Thank you,' Arthur said. 'Three years ago it...
#memories
#mystery
#risk
229 reads
4 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
24th Jan 2023 7:09pm
24th Jan 2023 7:09pm
Silent, The Part (2)
Two Year Earlier, Gavin
Later, Philippa fumbled around in her bag for a half bottle of vodka. I jerked my head to the side, indicating that I needed to talk to her. She followed me to the railing overlooking the sea, a glazed smile on her face.
'What's going on?' I said
'You've already asked me that.'
‘Do you know Steve and his brother?'
'Not before today. Steve and his mate Jace got talking to me this afternoon and they invited me to the party.'
'But Steve and Jace aren't even here.'
'I'm not responsible for that,'...
Later, Philippa fumbled around in her bag for a half bottle of vodka. I jerked my head to the side, indicating that I needed to talk to her. She followed me to the railing overlooking the sea, a glazed smile on her face.
'What's going on?' I said
'You've already asked me that.'
‘Do you know Steve and his brother?'
'Not before today. Steve and his mate Jace got talking to me this afternoon and they invited me to the party.'
'But Steve and Jace aren't even here.'
'I'm not responsible for that,'...
#relationships
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
219 reads
2 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
17th Jan 2023 7:13pm
17th Jan 2023 7:13pm
Silent, The Party
Two Years Earlier, Gavin
Party on the old fairground.
The guys in army clothing, Jace and his mate Steve, didn't turn up, and no one seemed to know where they were. Kids still at school milled around, knocking back vodka and cider, criticising everyone over the age of twenty-one. They didn't say much to Philippa or me at first. Just looked us up and down, as if we were teachers or something. They all spoke with accents. Mild Scouse, with Innit and Bro added.
'Hey,' this kid in a hoodie shouted, sounding drunk. He was about fourteen, fifteen. Rusty...
Party on the old fairground.
The guys in army clothing, Jace and his mate Steve, didn't turn up, and no one seemed to know where they were. Kids still at school milled around, knocking back vodka and cider, criticising everyone over the age of twenty-one. They didn't say much to Philippa or me at first. Just looked us up and down, as if we were teachers or something. They all spoke with accents. Mild Scouse, with Innit and Bro added.
'Hey,' this kid in a hoodie shouted, sounding drunk. He was about fourteen, fifteen. Rusty...
#relationships
#mystery
#risk
216 reads
3 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
4th Jan 2023 7:07pm
4th Jan 2023 7:07pm
Silent, The Pier At Night
Two Years Earlier, Gavin
Free wine after the concert. Lots of it. Later, Philippa and I headed off to Jace's party, stepping into the drizzle and a strong smell of cigarette smoke. The sun had nearly disappeared, leaving a dazzling glow that hurt my eyes. I heard shouting and laughter in the distance. A gust blew at us.
'It's meant to be summer and it's freezing,' I said. 'Where's the party?'
'The abandoned fairground.'
'In this weather?'
'Jace won't cancel.'
'How do you know that? Do you know him?'
'No,'...
Free wine after the concert. Lots of it. Later, Philippa and I headed off to Jace's party, stepping into the drizzle and a strong smell of cigarette smoke. The sun had nearly disappeared, leaving a dazzling glow that hurt my eyes. I heard shouting and laughter in the distance. A gust blew at us.
'It's meant to be summer and it's freezing,' I said. 'Where's the party?'
'The abandoned fairground.'
'In this weather?'
'Jace won't cancel.'
'How do you know that? Do you know him?'
'No,'...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
237 reads
4 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
30th Dec 2022 12:23pm
30th Dec 2022 12:23pm
Silent, The Desolate Evening
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
She wished she'd put on better clothing instead of rushing off like that. The weather had changed. Overheard, clouds had gathered, casting shadows along the private driveway. She hurried. As a child, she'd disliked the driveway, viewing it as long and lonely, a pathway to nowhere. The tall hedges and bushes blocked out the evening light, producing a dim hue and a chill, despite the clammy atmosphere.
She quickened her speed, thinking of earlier and the disturbance in her room and the sense of someone watching in the field. The Ogre, obviously....
She wished she'd put on better clothing instead of rushing off like that. The weather had changed. Overheard, clouds had gathered, casting shadows along the private driveway. She hurried. As a child, she'd disliked the driveway, viewing it as long and lonely, a pathway to nowhere. The tall hedges and bushes blocked out the evening light, producing a dim hue and a chill, despite the clammy atmosphere.
She quickened her speed, thinking of earlier and the disturbance in her room and the sense of someone watching in the field. The Ogre, obviously....
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
223 reads
0 Comments
Lozzamus
Poem Published
23rd Dec 2022 8:00pm
23rd Dec 2022 8:00pm
Silent, The Old Flat
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
The House was silent now, her duties over for the evening. The people had gone. On the first floor, she peered down the narrow corridors, listening out for sounds just in case - although it didn't really matter, as everyone would find out who she was at the final concert three weeks from now. She would have Ash and Maxine with her then. Which reminded her. She ought to text Maxine and tell her about the Ogre's return. She hadn't done that yet. Something was stopping her from revealing this latest information to Maxine. It was too raw. Agnes represented...
The House was silent now, her duties over for the evening. The people had gone. On the first floor, she peered down the narrow corridors, listening out for sounds just in case - although it didn't really matter, as everyone would find out who she was at the final concert three weeks from now. She would have Ash and Maxine with her then. Which reminded her. She ought to text Maxine and tell her about the Ogre's return. She hadn't done that yet. Something was stopping her from revealing this latest information to Maxine. It was too raw. Agnes represented...
#memories
#mystery
#nostalgia #risk
#nostalgia #risk
293 reads
2 Comments
DU Poetry : Long Poems About Risk
