Looming Turquoise (after Charlote Brisland)

Delighted to collaborate with ‘Hastings Rock Radio’ and Matt Turpin’s show ‘Hastings’ Noise’. One of my poems was reimagined through voice and music. Thank you, Matt for this beautiful recording. Matt’s show is every Tuesday 7 - 8 pm. You can listen below. I hope you enjoy it.

The last time I was there 

I stood way way back 

on the other side of the lake 

looking across to the Yellow House 

on the edge. Reflected. From here 

only the red roof held its shape. 

I watched the light dim slowly 

to peach streaked turquoise hills. 

Remembered walking home 

that spring evening 

when it so quickly turned 

dark. The moon 

lighting the blossom and our path 

disguised the flaking yellow paint 

the cracked window panes 

the little blue door 

that didn’t quite shut

We grew cold.

The hospital bed 

was so uncomfortable you’d said 

but the window - you imagined - 

opened onto the lake 

and I promised to fix 

the yellow walls, the blue door. 

I am too afraid to sleep now

for fear of dreaming of flaking yellow 

skin, blue paint streaming like tears.

The blossom is stuck to the soles

of my boots - wedged in - colour 

squeezed from its petals.

Looming Turquoise by Jane Midwinter

(after Charlotte Brisland)