Emergency Rations by Cliff Yates

Cliff Yates is fresh like the very first crack of dawn is fresh: unique, unrepeatable, full of promise.' – Ian McMillan

Cliff Yates follows his successful first full collection Henry's Clock with this new set of poems – often surreal, inconseqential, never boring, always a delight.

LEAVES ARE JUST THIN WOOD

No, I don’t read French.
Do you have a translation?
I’m from Birmingham.
Let’s go for a walk in the woods. It’s raining.

Bring the billiard table.
I have the balls in my trouser pockets.
Can you manage?
Here, let me hold the door.

Yes I agree, the rain. Did I mention
the importance of parks in the black country?
It’s not that interesting. Mind
the rosa rugosas, their thorns,
and the climber with the orange hips.

All the other woods are memories
preparing us for this one.

If I tell anyone she’ll kill me.
No, really – a dart through the forehead.
Look at my hands – people call it stigmata
but really it’s darts.

We quarrelled in the autumn.
We quarrelled about the milk.
In the morning she left, took the bed with her.

Reviews of Emergency Rations

	15 October 2008
Reviewed by customer: Kit Harding
Cliff Yates was my English Teacher too, great guy and a fantastic school. Kit Harding
	17 January 2006
Reviewed by customer: ruby lees
Haha this guy's my English teacher. This poem's good. ruby lees

Have you read Emergency Rations by Cliff Yates? - Add your own review