One hand on the steering wheel
)
the screen sprung with light
the vibrate function alerted with each chant
was the message missing a colon
or was it your way of telling me that this was closed
I waited for a correction a meaningful emoji
each second a social media minute until I asked you
?
expecting you to lol or haha even correct me
with a knowing semi-colon P
reassure my twitching digits
when we first met I warned your distracted eyes
watched every reach towards the dashboard
your fingers performing – – a silhouette from the hazard lights
)
you left me with a closed bracket
an unfinished spasm
.
Surface tension
The ocean leaves me uncomfortable,
sea-sick sway, centre of a swell. Below
my family, twisted amphibians ,
snap at intimacy, check each hollow,
staunchly defend underground ancestors.
In single file they chart currents, display
their hearse fins, each coughing obligation.
I make my way to the surface and spread-
out, thin. A drifting imposter looking
up. I float and savour the nausea.
These poems appear in Tell mistakes I love them forthcoming from V. Press
.
Stephen Daniels is the editor of Amaryllis Poetry (http://www.amaryllispoetry.co.uk/) and Strange Poetry (http://www.strange-poetry.com/) websites. His poetry has been published in numerous magazines and websites, including The Interpreter’s House, Ink Sweat & Tears, And Other Poems, Obsessed With Pipework, The Lake. His forthcoming Pamphlet ‘Tell mistakes I love them’ will be published in 2017 by V. Press. You can find out more at http://www.stephenkirkdaniels.com/ @stephendaniels
