Robin Perry

Leicester, UK

Robin Perry, originally from the north of England,  has been writing poetry since he was 16 and studied English at Sheffield University assisting for a time with the students 'Darts' magazine. He subsequently trained and worked as a social worker and after 24 years in the profession, retrained to work as a careers adviser in Loughborough. He has also worked in Europe and Africa and travelled extensively there and in South America and India. Some of his poetry reflects the influences of the history and culture of those areas.

Two Poems  -  Ghosts   -    Inside the Labyrinth

Poem written on April 19th 2020

GHOSTS

Even ghosts have fled this land,

malnourished as they were,

mere wraiths writhing

their way down vacant streets

where “for sale” signs

engulf what is open.

Silent queues, grim in demeanour

sidle half hoping for victuals

to place on bare tables,

empty bowls waiting, hoping

that bags will bring more

to fast emptying cupboards.

There was ample population here

before the viral wraith swept in,

enveloped these lands

with its kiss of death

and left us gasping,

depleted of lung, then life.

11th May 2020

INSIDE THE LABYRINTH

When in the dark

and no way out is showing

through the murk of dimming lights

and semi-consciousness,

just follow Ariadne’s thread of hope

in the grimmest of tunnel mazes

till light returns

and your eyes flicker slowly open

to a kindly word

and those smiling eyes above.

You know you made it

and they want to shake your hand,

grab your shoulder to encourage

but they still can’t do it  -

that barrier remains

and you are weak but hopeful now,

lying in a pool of sweat,

the arms still weak beside you.

You have come through bravely

against your raging Minotaur.