We had never switched off but rolled under
the stars like indifferent clouds. Illumination
is on our dark cheeks, our old constellation
is in our eyes. When the breeze wheezes thunder
we’ll sigh; when the moon’s dim face churns relief
we’ll sigh. In what world could we have brought
a flash light, held a candle or at least a thought,
pulled a box of matches like a magician’s handkerchief.
Not everything is bears and big dippers, cocoas
and Catherine wheels, hands and comets.
Take this brief glint and keep it. If the night fits
we will find the light again. It’s hard to go
in to darker places but it’s blinding not to.
Russell Jones (b. 1984) is a poet, tutor and researcher originally from Telford, England but is currently based in Edinburgh, Scotland. His poetry has won recognition in a number of international competitions including The Bridport Prize (2007-2009), The Eric Gregory Award (2007) and The Writers’ Bureau Poetry & Short Story Competition (2010), amongst others. His short collection of science fiction poems, The Last Refuge, was published in 2009 (Forest Press). Jones also writes articles on children’s literature for http://www.therustykey.com and co-moderates the poetry department of http://www.writersdock.org. He is currently researching Edwin Morgan’s science fiction poetry and tutoring in Scottish Literature at Edinburgh University.
