Joan Byrne

London

Placed Third in South Bank Poetry’s urban poetry competition (judged by Mimi Khalvati); nominated by StepAway Magazine for the Pushcart Prize, and made Poetry Shed’s Featured Poet. Published with The North, New River Press, Eye Flash Poetry, Dawntreader, Dream Catcher, Orbis, Ink Sweat & Tears, London Grip and anthologies.

Written 18th  June 2020

Noli me tangere

If I could…

I would kiss you hello

give you a bare hug, like so

butter your toast

and dance up close

stroke your arm and

cause you no harm

buy you a drink

chat and forge links

hold your hand in the park

do what you do in the dark

but all this must wait

as we tease out our fate

for covid nineteen

is the dominant scene

if we must stay apart

let’s do it with heart