Short poem in Black Bough Poetry's anthology, Christmas and Winter Edition Volume 2

At The Edge Of The Woods

This is a long poem, as befits a serious subject. In the first week of 2020, just before our first Covid lockdown in Britain, I was taken to Krakow, Auschwitz and Birkenau by my husband as my birthday present. It is the most memorable and arguably best birthday gift I have ever received. I, like many people, was profoundly moved by the heaps of personal belongings and imagined myself a young woman, arriving in pretty red shoes. It has not been published, but I wanted it to be out in the world and published it on my then blogging site. I also delivered it to an audience at the launch of the 'Broken Spine Artist Collective' first volume, in Southport, England, in February 2020. A young woman hugged me after hearing it. I have not had a hug from anyone other than my husband since. Let us hope 2022 is a better year for life, health and hugs.

Red By Mary Earnshaw

A short prose piece, nostalgia tinged with regret

In storage

A six year old's Christmas from long, long ago...

Wishes And Gifts

An inspirational walk at Marshside, Southport, England, under a vast sky, with a distant sea and a chorus of skylarks, plus a late addition to the wildlife as I return to my car. The site is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and is a haven for migrating birds - and walkers - and plant life. Poem published in The Whiskey Tree, Untamed Nature anthology of 14 poems, available from The Broken Spine

Larks Attending

Poem responding to a theme  inspired by Robert McFarlane's book 'Underland' and published in 'Deep Time' Volume 1 by Black Bough Poetry. The poem itself is inspired by 'The Stone Book, the first in a quartet of short novels by Alan Garner.

Mary Earnshaw

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