If I sit
first sun

curiously
out and to

uplifted
archaic flood

*

Outside us, words
change
the itinerary
recapture
the shape of
naming
before
another
disturbs
the sense
made

*

It is outside the wind I hear
in here listening to not a sound
other than what is heard
not listened to    rain can be
heard    not yet fallen    it will

 

*

 

SPELL

Words make it seem
a moment more
than looking was

Peculiar grace
worth not being
silent for

Copyright © John Phillips, 2006.

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John Phillips was born in St Ives, Cornwall, where he has recently returned to live with his wife and daughter after ten years in Slovenia. He teaches English at a comprehensive school. His most recent publication is Language Is (Sardines Press, San Francisco, 2005).