Different Walks

Byrachelfox

Originally from the north of England, Rachel Fox has lived in Scotland for a decade and a half now, and it is here, after careers in journalism, education, and social work, that she turned to poetry. Her most recent pamphlet, Turn (Crowd-pleasers Press, £5) features a number of short, deceptively simple poems. As the title suggests, “Different Walks” describes two perambulations, one less than inspired, another showing nature “so vibrant, so violent”. The question is really whether the walks have changed or the walker. ■

There is walking, And then there is this:

Giant steps stretched out around a tiny town, Bright lights that hang just too low down, Dry mouth, long night, somewhere to be, Feet moving, moving, constantly.

And then again there is walking, And then there is this:

The pansy by the path with its soft, soft face, The daffodils singing uninvited as ever, The blackbirds busy, everything just so, So vibrant, so violent, so full, this life.