Stuart Miller-Osborne

On a stormy day in late December I purchased a copy of British Ballads From a charity shop in a coastal town In September 1882 it had belonged To a Frederick Bryant Who had left his inscription Inside the faded blue book I have always preferred limited histories

Last night I dreamt that I was a holiday rep Travelling to and fro between Aegean Islands It was a non stop existence but I enjoyed my time When I woke up it was still raining quite heavily The holly bush was dancing wildly in the high winds I looked at my watch and realised…

Where is Room 206  You do not want to know  I have experienced this room  Entering and leaving  Through the same door  I will never forget Room 206 As I hated and loved it  At the same time 

We often try to preserve the past But at the same time We do our best To destroy the future

I had a thought about poetry the other day  About whether any of the brave soldiers  Fighting in the continuing wars  Were writing poetry during these terrible times  

Mother I have been writing poetry for some years It is quite ordinary and very personal I write about my village and our country ways And the vicar who I admire so very much But I will not write about this war There are plenty of men better suited To write these painful poems Therefore…

As Edwin’s coffin was carried from his earthly home It brushed quietly against the privet hedge I remember him once telling me That he liked his garden and especially its privet hedge It felt like the hedge was bidding him farewell

I have a mad dog in my yard It has savaged an innocent child I feel that I should shoot the beast But fear the criticism of my close friends

I am walking along the near the silent boats In Mithymna on Lesbos It is now seven thirty eight Molly is watching me on a webcam Wearing the canary yellow vest That I gave her before I left I am wearing a white cotton shirt Which was her gift to me Molly is planning to…

When I awoke this morning I found that there were no more bees They had vanished into my dreams This terrified me as I no longer dream