The Ofi Press Magazine
International Poetry and Literature from Mexico City
Poem by Bob Beagrie (UK) Published in The Ofi Press issue 38.
| Beside The River Bythe
Right now all I can believe in Is a dense wall of green Deep in the rippling drive of living, Grains of dead dry sand Dusting the slip running down To the water’s restless lip, Drip streaks of blue graffiti Sprayed on the old stone bridge Between here and there, now and then, A cold river caressing smooth boulders Flows into echoes carrying A crow feather toward the sea.
I believe in the coming of late evening On its easy stroll along the bank That hides the past’s secrets Within its moist claggy soil: Compacted pain, stagnant anger - A tree decorated with flowers Flags, soft toys, mementoes.
Why did he do it? He felt overwhelmed by darkness I believe it happens to us all sometimes
We walk back along the path Passed cow parsley, nettles, weeping willows, Take with us a slice of sunlight A little shred of shadow
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About the Poet
Bob Beagrie is a poet, playwright and senior lecturer in creative writing at Teesside University. He has performed at numerous festivals and venues nationally and internationally, including The Royal Festival Hall – South Bank Centre, Theatre Royal Newcastle, Crossing Borders Festival – Amsterdam, Kiasma Museum of Modern Art – Helsinki, Down By The Laiturri Festival – Turku, The Haganum Festival – Den Haag, The Dylan Thomas Centre – Swansea, The Poet's Café – Silvers, Portugal and The Poetry Café London. He has received commissions from Arts Council England, The Hydrogen Jukebox Cabaret of The Spoken Word, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Hartlepool Borough Council, The Laing Gallery Newcastle and Helsinki Refugee Centre. As well as collaborating with musicians he has also worked closely with visual artists on public artworks and with theatre company Three Over Eden.
Image: "Durham River" by Kelvyn Skee