‘new levels’
Transcript
new levels
a 21 trunked tree
splays out across river flows
shaded under leaf dappled
sun lit grass, ruffled
lush green, banked ground
with centre crown
Sedgemoor seeds sow
grow a weeping willow
tears for the rivers going
flood drenched soak sponge
far away from plastic scourers
Sellotape and Cellophane
Breathe in the weeping willow
Hold a breath for beauty
in dark times
tomorrow all of this water
will have passed
leaves on an outgoing tide
drops sedimentary deposits
suspended particulars
yet on paper
fixed terms of reference
do not shift
remain in a state of property
trying to own seeds on the wind
chasers, chancres, mercenary
know nothing of spiritual gold
or spirit of silver
reflected back from a distanced stare
longing to share
that which makes us human
touch another’s heart
from 2 metres
there is no briefing
mediated answer
for what to do
our expectations
to be cared for, respected, valued, accepted
put to the test, yoke to bear
beasts of burden for privileged few
locked down
locked in
locked up
locked out
not for me, stayed free
delivering Dotcom, school meals and PPE
time to reflect, rethink, re-evaluate
roads, towns, beaches fill up
oceans now have gloves and masks
antibacterial water ways, poisoned source
take any moment to slow down
into an inner place
sanctuary space
a sacred home
buy nothing more
reject what was
sit a while by water flows
mind is fed outside your head
stillness find inside your mind
that creates the dream
extends beyond, made and scene
under trees with dappled leaves
where your hands have always been
here where the water
trickles down different life lines
and connections reformed again
in layers of the anthropocean
This poem is created as a response to the georgraphic and socio economic landscape of the Somerset Levels during the COVID19 period of ‘Lockdown’ It refers to change and refelcts on how the outside world influences us and we influence it through processes of change. It will be shown as part of the Bridgewater Quayside Festival alongside other work of The Fountain poetry group of which I am proud and pleased to be a member.
‘admiable red’
Transcript
admirable red
seemingly fragile life, appears delicate strength
Vanessa atalanta, from North Africa
in summer, increased number
over, recent years some overwinter
nymphalidae family of traveller
those who make it through
ride prevailing currents
with wings together camouflaged underneath
disappear at rest on tree or ground
‘We’re all in this together’
on arrival open winged solar gain bathed
red brown black white blue
anticipated arrival looked for, greeted with smiles
joy filled followers, wonder each year
when flowers return memories
imago, ovum, lava, pupa,
metamorphosis through changes
inspirational process, asks that fixed questions
become open source, free at the point of view
‘We’re all in this together’
key workers whose small actions become considerable
in effect amidst chaos, make adjustments
at a cursory glance, maintains a precarious balance
seen in different light, moves as a model
a Red Admiral, previously known
as ‘The Red Admirable’
on Verbena in disambiguation, acts as though aware
of observer, welcomed as an essential friend
yet distanced in air of confidence
‘We’re all in this together’
in the kindness of nettles left to flower
ivy blossom, thistles and brambles
individual reflections of what really matters
pruned buddleia spreads seeds that grow in walls
leaving grasses, docks vetches and corn flowers
blackthorn, sedum , michaelmas, hemp-agrimony and rue
the day of lawnmowers, round up and phosphates
through lens opening, glimpse complexities return
in multi coloured freedoms, spectrums of desire
this, translucent, transcultural, transient beauty
This poem refers to my earlier painings of butterflies my concerns about global environmental change and our part in the extinction of species. It speaks about the COVID19 pandemic experiences, Chaos theory and the oportunity to change.
Still photo
admirable red
‘summer solstice Black Lives Matter 2020’
This is a short silent video poem created on the solstice of 2020 revisting the earlier peice created in 2018 and made with the Black Lives Matter campaign in mind. It is reseponce to being aware of how racist we may still be in our daily lives and how we all need to become more aware in order to change things.
‘summer solstice 2018’
Created in 2018 it is a short silent video poem created during a peotry workshop held at the bow warf in Langport with the ‘Fountain Poets of Wells, East Coker Group and frome stanza group.It was accepted for the Trans Cultural Exchange digital event Hello World in 2020.
Here is the interview with Deb Richardson about my work.
‘the art of memory’
A collaborative poem and poetry performance with David Caddy for the South West Poetry Tour. Delivered at Hauser & Wirth in 2016
‘swim lanes’
‘swim lanes’ This poem was created in collaboration with Christos Vasilakis CHi2 University of Bath for the Fringe Art Bath and Unversity of Bath Art Science initiative. It refers to computer systems modeling within the specific context of the NHS and blood suplies required during a critical event. It refers to the different and shared languages of Art & Science and the re-humanisation of machine, artificial and synthetic systems. It is produced using still images from the body of work created during the project and included in the FABSCI exhibition at the ‘Edge Gallery’ in 2016
Frnge Art Bath interview with myself and Christos Vasilakis about the work
‘dynamic flow form’
‘dynamic flow form’ by Andrew Henon. This poem was created from fimed content produced from 2010 together with a poem written specifically to accompany the fims as a long poem in 2017. The poem makes the reference to the polution of water, water as a resource, global warming and the use of fosil fuels. It relates the lived experience to the wider issues and challenges of our times.
Young Carers Performance 2014
For Arts Council England artist in residence 2014. In collaboration with Bath Philamonia and Jason Thornton. I created and produced the visual backdrop together with input from young carers at the Carers Centre Bath & North East Somerset.
