Geraldine Cox

Pencil and pen on paper, 15 x 25 cm

ALLOTMENT

After the tarmac and concrete, I peer through railings to glimpse the remaining treasure,
beneath the new build of expensive apartment blocks
some soul’s little plot of gory blackberries


Ending a day’s labour,
leaving upturned wheelbarrows like beetles on their backs
and the little shed of oddments and sitting and peace.

Under blackberry nets
and blackbirds singing
this handwritten world without right angles, rules and hoardings
lies honest and open and breathing.