Steven Francis

Carmarthenshire, Wales

Born 23 August 1971. Parents: David and Susan, brother Stewart and two nieces, Rebecca and Jade. Educated at Strade Comprehensive, left at sixteen with the intention of becoming a poet/writer. Have contributed mainly to a local magazine, but have had poems published in local press, and several works in hardback anthologies. I am fortunate to live in Burry Port with its beaches, hills, gossip, and (when younger) pirates, caves and messages in bottles. I have written two collections of poetry, currently writing a play and essays that come from the hidden child in me. Inspirations include Coleridge, Ginsberg and Dylan Thomas.

The Simplicity of Silence

There is a deafness
on king's road,
no leaves fall ancient
into a crisp death,
or single cat
whispers from a grave
as tuneless as
the song (in mourning).

Silent and serene,
gone is the useless
fragrance of humanity,
crowds of (voices maybe)
all invisible like
velvet breath and
quiet footprints
tender as tonight.

The tranquil melody of
night is shattered by
strange utterances
on dark corners,
as drunkards
bellow curses and
spit hammers,
a bark against the hush.

Mellow, as the dark
( and days ) fall asleep
under a glorious, gracious
Heaven, king's road
and other streets
and towns are
silent now,
for quiet has its triumphs...

Opposite Sex

Stoned to death
death in milestones.
No answers
nothing
no pleasure of
sin, and craving.

Idle circus
roving eye, blind.
Flat kisses full of
dust and spit
dying to meet
me and I.

Turn tuberculosis
as you see me
naked and scarred,
hold your
mothers spirit and
run with angels....