Pathways

Like the title, life may follow several directions, and Gráinne Smith explores both the past and possibilities. For the most part these poems are gentle, yet some contain a raw emotion: medical pain, humiliation, burning men on an oil rig. The subject matter swings from the pastoral to a dying pet, from a bag-lady to breast feeding in a gathering storm. Not forgetting the sensual allegory in coastal mist, (Haar) coal fires and the potency of the sea, both in homage and mourning for those who are lost.

Lost

last night
in your house I was searching for you
searching and searching
I called your name my voice a strangled whisper
where are you? Am I late?
blank faces turned pausing
in soundless conversation

from room to room I searched
the kitchen walls leaned to listen
someone stirred beyond the open shelves
a faceless head turned towards my question
then shook a negative into the air

your children were kind patting my arm
he’ll be here soon they said he’s very busy
and vanished quietly drifting
through opaque glass doors

on the wide curving stairs crowds passed to and fro
with silent purpose ignoring
my excuse me? please could you...?

the heavy door closed behind me
and the gate
clicked.

Bio: Gráinne Smith is widely published on the small press scene. Work includes Chanceshot, 3rd place in 2005 SCDA 3-act play competition, Moving On in 20th Century Scotland, Smaa Biggin Press 2004, Anorexia and Bulimia in the Family, John Wiley and Sons 2004. Whether writing poetry, stories or non-fiction in Doric or English, she finds her inspiration in the people and places of NE Scotland, where she has been a lifelong resident.