To Dream a Life in Paint

To dream a life in paint

is a noble Aryan ambition;

to draw, to sketch, to acquaint

myself with fame in the artistic tradition.

I will claim every valley and mountain,

forest, river and the seven seas.

Watch out for my name. Achtung!

There is nothing I will not seize

and frame in watercolour.

My reputation will survive

centuries of time. My valour

will be remembered, kept alive.

I will stand forever in art history

beside Pissarro, Chagall, Modigliani.


© John Saunders

Adolf Hitler paintings: Berlin police seize 'fake' works at auction

John Saunders’ first collection ‘After the Accident’ was published in 2010 by Lapwing Press, Belfast. His second full collection 'Chance' was published in April 2013 by New Binary Press.

'Rage'

I see houses they once called palaces,

headquarters situated in every diocese,

a geographic delineation of theocratic

organisation that shuns the demographic

of county boundaries and tribal zones.

An international corporation owns

these residences where then (not now)

a man who lived with a celibate vow

ruled the beliefs and behaviour

of people in the name of the saviour.

He pronounced on matters of theology,

determined the latitudes of morality,

(one even contributed to a Constitution,

that still determines the nation’s jurisdiction),

tended to the sheep of his flock,

paraded in processions wearing a frock.

He struck the cheeks of children

who bent to kiss his red ring,

presided over matters of ecclesiastics,

governed his army of monastics.

He denied the truth like Judas,

betrayed his God and natural justice,

allowed boys and girls to be victims

of brutal clerical crimes.

He oversaw the rapes of altar boys,

the fondling of children like toys-

playthings of the collared paedophile,

who prayed and preyed all the while.

John Saunders

Resignation is too little too late

John’s first collection ‘After the Accident’ was published in 2010. His poems have appeared in many poetry journals in Ireland, The United Kingdom and America and in numerous online journals. His second collection Chance was published in April 2013 by New Binary Press.

'An Explosion of Sadness'

This week in Eindhoven

an explosion of sadness 

as bodies landed

nameless and limbless. 

Last week in Ukraine

an explosion of madness.

Rain of bodies and fuselage,

broken and breathless.

An anonymous cortège,

an unplanned arrival,

without explanation

in fields of Sunflower and rebels.

Who knows next week, where,

what will fall from the air?

 John Saunders

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mh17-crash-social-media--blackout-tribute-continues-as-first-bodies-are-to-be-flown-to-netherlands-from-ukraine-9622288.html

John’s first collection ‘After the Accident’ was published in 2010. His poems have appeared in many poetry journals in Ireland, The United Kingdom and America and in numerous online journals. His second collection Chance was published in April 2013 by New Binary Press.

Sunday review

The week began on a sad note for poetry as the news of the death of Seamus Heaney broke. Caroline Hurley's excellent poem "Salt of Our Earth" paid a great tribute to him in words and images that evoked his life and work perfectly.
John Saunders' poem "Atropine" was Tuesday's poem and said a lot in a few words. The contrast with the death dealing Belladonna plant and the antidote for gas attacks is very well made.
David Mellor's poem "NOT YOU" made a good point on Wednesday about how we can so easily switch off from horrendous events such as the gas attack. The downside of being as well informed about these things is that it is very easy to feel helpless and this leads to turning away .
My own poem for Seamus Heaney "Sláinte" was Thursday's poem. Siobhan raised some good points in the comments.
Carolyn Cornthwaite's poem "How Shalt Thou Kill Me?" 
Was Friday's poem and made the point about big nations and their, sometimes, contradictory stances. It is a memorable poem.
Luigi Pagano's poem "Rumpus in Olympus" continued the story of the current business elite who actually seem like criminals, must be a camera trick, eh? 
Keep up the submissions folks and have a good week. We have some blossom happening in NZ which is certainly cheering the place up a bit.

Atropine

Ancient vaso-dilator,
better known
as Belladonna
now an antidote
to save the lives
of the beautiful.

©John Saunders

Atropine Is the Simplest Treatment for Nerve Gas Attacks, And Syria Is Running Low

John Saunders’ first collection ‘After the Accident’ was published in 2010 by Lapwing Press, Belfast. John is featured in  Measuring,  Dedalus New Writers (Dedalus Press, 2012). His second collection ‘Chance’ is to be published shortly.
 

Undercurrent

On the surface the soft yashmak of surf
bubbles over the sheen of army green water
underneath which a shoal of multi-coloured
fish fill an aquarium of differences
where species pass each other with diffidence.

Sometimes a prey will be preyed on,
a sacrifice made in the name of some god.
Who knows why it is this way and not different?
Beware of the deep undercurrent.

© John Saunders

Woolwich murder: The suspected attackers

John Saunders’ first collection ‘After the Accident’ was published in 2010 by Lapwing Press, Belfast. John is one of three featured poets in  Measuring,  Dedalus New Writers published by Dedalus Press in May 2012. His second full collection Chance was published in April 2013 by New Binary Press.

Sacrifice

Your final act
using what is yours
to make the point
you are in control
and they cannot
diminish your dissent.

You have righteousness.
This is the end of you
and all they can do
is watch you abandon
your young body,
unable to punish.
You have won, Bozu.

© John Saunders

Two Tibetan monks self-immolate as anti-China protests continue

John Saunders' First Collection After the Accident was published in 2010 by Lapwing Publications, Belfast. His second full collection Chance is available is due for publication in March 2013 by New Binary Press

The Bend in the Road

Watch out hedgehog,rabbit and toad,
look right then left at the kerb
before you cross at the bend in the road.

Car and vans, lorries with loads
drive up and down every day- they disturb.
Watch out hedgehog, rabbit and toad.

And drivers too please heed the safe drive code,
find that manual and read the blurb,
before you drive around the bend in the road.

In the morning when you leave you're abode,
if you're late do not be perturbed,
watch out for hedgehogs, rabbits and toads.

At twilight the seeds of accidents are sowed,
the driver's vision is often blurred,
be extra careful at the bend in the road.

For all sorts of traffic the research showed
where accidents are most likely to have occurred.
Watch out hedgehog, rabbit and toad
before you cross at the bend in the road.

© John Saunders

Roads authority to fix 50 worst bends

It’s a Wrap

What a day. Just finished the threesome
we started yesterday and the director says
I have to work under cover,
something I’ve never done before.
I mean it’s hard to change.
He says “action” and I have to fumble
with the wrapper. My performance sucked.
I can’t get into the swing
and I messed up the money shot.
I mean honey there's no feeling,
I have to feel something or else I can’t act.
Suzie did her best, but even she says
it’s strange. She thinks she’s allergic to them.
I cannot do a decent day's work.
I think I need a beer and a cuddle in front
of the TV tonight honey. What do you say?
Can you fetch me a hotdog? Yeah,
unwrap it for me. Thanks.

© John Saunders

Ensuring condom use on porn sets called challenging

John Saunders’ first collection ‘After the Accident’ was published in 2010 by Lapwing Press, Belfast. John is featured in  Measuring,  Dedalus New Writers (Dedalus Press, 2012). His second collection ‘Chance’ is to be published shortly.

What Katie Did

It was the cold war all over again

as nations sparred for victory

in the new Olympian tradition

of women’s boxing competition


and the citizens of Bray

boxed into the clubs and pubs,

clenched long necks in the heat

as she fought the final heath


and hooked her silver into gold,

lifted us off the canvass floor,

kept the blows at arm’s length.

knocked out our national discontent.


She showboated after her fight of dreams

to the punch of the nation’s triumphant screams.

© John Saunders

Taylor wins to take Olympic boxing gold for Ireland

John's first collection ‘After the Accident’ was published in 2010 by Lapwing Press, Belfast. He is one of three featured poets in Measuring,  Emerging Writers, published by Dedalus Press in May 2012.

Messenger

I am cherubim, seraphim –
a heavenly chariot,
theophanic,
will answer your prayer.

I am art nouveau
in a gothic ensemble,
a concrete angel
with mobile phone.

Sometimes I am lonely
on my stone pedestal
amid a phalanx of statues,
am relieved when it rings;

press one for history,
two to learn about Christianity,
three to speak to God.

© John Saunders

A Dutch Angel’s Cellphone Number Is in Demand

John's first collection ‘After the Accident’ was published in 2010 by Lapwing Press, Belfast. He is one of three featured poets in Measuring,  Emerging Writers, published by Dedalus Press in May 2012.