Tomb-Sweeping Day

The ophthalmologist, whose name is Hung,
tugs on one of three visible legs
protruding – an extra, alien set
of lashes. Then another, then another.
The woman, named only as He, did not
rub, kept all four Halictidae alive
nourished by tear-salt, saving her own sight.
News stories show close-ups on big screens
on Taiwanese TV, their eight silver-black wings
and antennae preserved; tiny stings
(apparently like one hair catching fire)
unused. From my kitchen, I realise I can’t
remember visiting a grave – let alone
sweeping one – as He had, the day before.
The ants and Ancestors barely taking note
of the fragments which catch in our eyes.

© Caleb Parkin

Four bees found living inside woman’s eye, drinking her tears

Caleb Parkin - [Website: Could Be the Moon] [Twitter: @CalebParkin]

Caleb is a poet, performer, facilitator & filmmaker, based in Bristol. He works with schools, museums, universities and others & is completing an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes. Winner, Winchester Poetry Prize 2017 National Poetry Competition 2016 - 2nd Prize The Rialto Open Pamphlet Competition 2016 - Shortlist Watch filmpoem 'Bony Orbit' on Atticus Review I was on Poetry Please here

Self-Portrait on the Other Hand or, On the Distinctiveness of Fingers (after Nestlé, Kit Kat)

Left Pinkie: below-stairs finger, dinner-server, burnt tundra
at the knuckle, would-be cocker of posh drinks (were I posher);

Ring finger: wrinkled at the print, cradler of dishes while other
digits do the grist, diamond neck-brace wearer (were I straighter);

Up-Yours Finger: piggy-in-the-middle malingerer, head and shoulder
above the others, un-tapping rester on the table (were I calmer);

Index Finger: pointer at horizons, daily-placard-waver (were I even lefter),
J’accuse Finger, Trademarker – who made you finger taker, finger breaker?

© Caleb Parkin

Kit Kat case: No break for Nestlé in trademark row

Caleb Parkin is a poet, performer, facilitator & filmmaker, based in Bristol. He works with schools, museums, universities and others & is completing an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes. Winner, Winchester Poetry Prize 2017 National Poetry Competition 2016 - 2nd Prize The Rialto Open Pamphlet Competition 2016 - Shortlist Watch filmpoem 'Bony Orbit' on Atticus Review I was on Poetry Please here Twitter: @CalebParkin

We Push Buttons

My President

and the President of that President

have a clear message

unprecedented

in its clarity and pyrotechnic

imagery, for you tyrants elsewhere:

We Push Buttons,

not you. Not your little pinkies on

those plasticine maps

rebranded terrains

where our names, our voices rain from blank skies

the powerful blue of widened eyes.

We Make Choices,

hard ones. Make them on everyone’s behalf

even when faced with

no consequences

with a carte as blanche as zeroing cheques,

the hollowmouthed viewfinder of graphs.

We Take Action,

fast. Faster than you can say Election

fraud. As decisive

as empty filing

cabinets; empty as a Cabinet;

clear as a scorpion in this sandstorm.

© Caleb Parkin

Syria strikes: Theresa May says there was 'no practicable alternative' to bombing

Caleb Parkin is a poet, performer, facilitator & filmmaker, based in Bristol. He works with schools, museums, universities and others & is completing an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes. Winner, Winchester Poetry Prize 2017  National Poetry Competition 2016 - 2nd Prize  The Rialto Open Pamphlet Competition 2016 - Shortlist  Watch filmpoem 'Bony Orbit' on Atticus Review  I was on Poetry Please here Twitter: @CalebParkin