COMFORT AND JOY ANDREW TAYLOR

TEN PAGES PRESS

COMFORT AND JOY by Andrew Taylor © 2011 Ten Pages Press All rights revert to author upon publication http://tenpagespress.wordpress.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Some of these poems previously appeared in Breadcrumb Scabs, Eye on Mars, Private International Review of Photographs and Texts, Instant Pussy, The, Instant Pussy, Calliope Nerve, The Balloon, Red Fez and Escarp.

For Bootle.

Winter Tour

One Christmas she bought me a clock radio alarm I guess so she could be near me when I slept I’d never stay the night at her place it didn’t seem right she’d often ask but I’d slip out into the early hours and the empty amber streets She’d call me and ask me over share a few hours cold lager and reality TV we’d slowly slip into each other’s dilemmas companionship ignited by isolation her tender kisses meant to entice led the way to her room where bodily fluids would exchange and she’d complain about hair care products

Text Poem Two Any would be nice I’ll see you after I’ve got ironing to do hope you’re OK Took a while to get to sleep but not been awake long hope to see you soon Can you ring nice coat? It sounds like Moz, help. Speak to you before I go Adny It’s OK morning that sounds cool contact me asap please lad hard day at the office? Yes I take it you’re watching tennis weather good but not as good as the grass lad in bed Bootle I’ve just woken up do you fancy a bit of sun or a wander in the garden just as long as you put corks on your hat I’m out of credit this is Greeny’s phone wish you were there

Off To Buy Paper Soon Just more tablets take it easy Rob cabin fever? Is it a dance? You’ll have to teach it to me Kyles we’re out the water I know I didn’t get to sleep till after 3 I felt weird being on my own Nothing why? May you now? That’s better, yeah go on Rob! Did you have a good night? A bit down, yes I’ll check with Aud Yummy, but not as yummy as now, I’m in bed all nice and snug take care K I had it in my hand Nice I hope off to buy paper soon that sounds nice what 2000? Hello Sir Yeh see you then DK

Comfort and Joy Wearing Sunflowers or Tendre Poison cab it to the Strand create a stir with what you wear and the wake of essence trailing by Into The Star watch the crowds part at the bar as you weave a magic spell 'half a lager and scotch and coke please' take the corner table and watch as the noise dies down Rub your foot onto my instep as you peek into your shopping bags showing me the label of crisp white cotton knickers The space left as you go to powder your nose fills with the stares of envious men wearing tracksuits and expensive catalogue club jewellery Wearing the tight Mozzer T-shirt to bed as the sun begins to set the bed seems small as the Sunflowers turn in and the poison begins to seep out of my body

No Lone Zone snow fell thick overnight unaware until alert by phone plans cancelled new plans made while curtains reveal the Cathedral tower half-hidden tea is brewed and heavy clothing sought wander quiet streets in search of supplies pass through Gambier Terrace buy a newspaper and milk and a sandwich from the deli strong desire to make footprints in virgin snow or to become a snow angel in the cemetery

Monde Hop! Listen to the groove Holmes drink your wine sip it slowly as the signs glitter in the gold of the sunset Sarbrosa 330km Namaste 359km restroom blues graffitti clocking 'POW' as in prisoner of war or like POW maybe it just ain't important under the crackling neon of the Coca-Cola sign reads the legend Son of Neckbone as I count the trucks going by in 3's dust swirling as Eugene's lament begins again the jukebox slowly being turned UP Bobo on the corner as the attendant fills her up careful not to spill a drop Shambala 225kms getting nearer time to lighten up Ricky's theme on the in-car CD as night begins to fall time to switch the air-conditioning OFF State transitions at 3 a.m. night ends as day begins drinkin' wine

Common Salt Share with legends dust cracks between pavements Palaces in the sun no just 23rd street the second time when optimism burned deep and transatlantic calls were for shopping lists Guiding light persuader you made me visit the 110th floor Somebody was watching over us after shopping tempting as it was to sit it out and watch shadows gather and drink coffee but the memory belongs in this moment probably forgotten by the lesser ones

Best Served Ice Cold Beyond the yard fields scrub and electric fence near a plane takes off while one lands this room is quietness in the bag is a packet of paracetamol the drink is refreshment it contains natural flavourings flavouring caffeine along the ridge runs a long red train slowly following an amber signal while out there somewhere there is a heart with my name etched on to it

Fluids Never knowingly aware of the need to taste the fluids until after transatlantic conversations about the necessity of completeness I want it all to wash over me from the source eventually a bottle from which splinters will slip slowly under the skin emerging red in unison with clearness that leaves a slight white sheen like cotton as a souvenir to be examined in the twilight Luxurious velvetness of codeine dreams allows for pleasurable awakenings Pierced through the sharpness of knives to mark a scarification of intent a post-post-modern form of ceremony to tag like the wedding ring that will make the circle complete

Watford Gap grass verge through coffee steam, reassurance of traffic noise, knowing we are an hour away - the beauty of the service station

BIOGRAPHY

Andrew Taylor is a Liverpool poet and co-editor of erbacce and erbacce-press. His latest publication, a chapbook of poems, is published by Full of Crow Press in the USA. Previous publications include And the Weary are at Rest (Sunnyoutside Press), The Sound of Light Aircraft (The Knives Forks and Spoons Press) and Turn for Home (The Brodie Press). Poems have appeared in on-line and in journals such as The, Red Fez, The Liverpool Echo, The Architect’s Journal, Gloom Cupboard, Origami Condom and The Journal of Heroin Love Songs. He co-edited with Lara Konesky Blood at the Chelsea (erbacce-press, 2010), an anthology collecting poems written by poets to other poets. He has a Ph.D. in poetry and poetics gained under the supervision of the poet Robert Sheppard. He supports Everton Football Club – Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.