for Ian Lloyd-Jones
this climber
has slate’s gaze
a total of grey steadiness
he can see
the rainbow in slate’s grey
his Welsh voice
cracks slate consonants
yet polishes with vowels
he speaks of new routes
& edgy slate grades
he has worked at play
slate has ripped & dusted
his Montane jacket
his pale grey hands wear
blood-black nicks
all day slate
has had his soul
attention
all day slate’s family
has worked with him
his Grandfather’s
flat slate ghost has
lived 3d through
his frame’s movements
I cannot shake
his hand for fear
of slate’s tons
& tiny razors
he has his
Grandfather’s hands
slate hands
‘In Slate’s Hands’ appears in Mark Goodwin’s new collection Rock as Gloss. You can order the book securely by clicking on the relevant PayPal button below.
Rock as Gloss: £12.99 (hardback)
UK orders (+ £1.70 postage)
Europe orders (+ £5 postage)
Rest of World orders (+ £7 postage)
Longbarrow Press 