THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.

There are magnetic visions of a dark, potent scene

They leave behind indelible marks- longings to see

In my mind is brewing a charcoal-tainted sky

The aerial calls of salt water to be captivated by

Seeping into supple sand, surrounding me

Are the caresses of the chill-infused sea

Deep blue, cold wind composed a melody

Of whistles and worships: a spine-tingling ecstasy

Harmonies layering to thicken the ascension

Deepen the release, prick the point of tension

I swear, they summoned me for a second

Not a moment of disillusionment reckoned

Till it collapsed at the whim of shackles enclosed

Within steam-fogged glass chambers imposed

Only visible to the eye that recalls that very vision

Mine can remember a mere glance lacking precision

By clamour of the clock, time as felt is a sentence

Intangibility a curse, sensibility held in reverence

Reality clawed at my quivering, desperate try

To have resurfaced the power- now flushed dry

of even glimmers of the moments at the beach

The one I dreamt of touching

The one that slipped out of reach