Gordon Scapens has been widely published in various countries over many years in numerous magazines, journals, anthologies, newspapers and competitions, most recently first prize in the Brian Nisbet poetry award. His latest book is ‘History Doesn’t Die’.
LAST PERFORMANCE
His life stretches
only a limited time,
yet he plays piano
with the heart of a man
who’s found himself.
Music with identity
to open doors
to lost days.
Music to rescue
melody from fashion,
audience from trifles.
Music that explains
who you are
when time is yours.
Music with ability
to dance harmony
through life’s clamour
The piano player
gambols through notes
like a spring lamb,
and with as much future.
© Gordon Scapens
MUSIC NEVER HEARD
She can’t grasp for hope
knowing renegade time
has played a game changer
on her innocent body.
No rainbows in our conversation,
every word so carefully placed
so we’re not having to look
life right in the face.
No laughter at our table
as we dine on anxiety
that just abandons us
to another sort of hunger.
“Why” is a wasted question
and we talk in distractions
to avoid checking the answer
for a deep gulf.
Her days are a nightmare
and she knows she’s awake,
each one consists of now
as some sort of future.
We feel her moving from us
on an immutable journey
like a march to music
that nobody ever hears.
It’s written on her face.
© Gordon Scapens