‘Forest of Dreams’ – a cherita collaboration
Sheila Windsor (U.K.), Larry Kimmel (U.S.)
Ron Moss (Tasmania) Hortensia Anderson (U.S.) 22/01/’05 to 21/02/’05
Part 1 – Little Red Riding Hood
a curl of chimney smoke
at the forest’s edge a cottage
ready for the night
cloak of red
the sweep and swish
beneath a rising moon / s.w.
*
crossing the river
she follows the firefly
through murk and mystery
an owl hoots – another snickers
where the firefly was
the glow of a cigarillo / l.k.
*
gnarl of saliva
emerald eyes gleam
in folds of darkness
unleashed from hell
a howl that parts the air
scattering fear / r.m.
*
her hastening step
a crush of pine needles
releases their resinous scent
twigs reach out to touch
her tumbling blonde hair
and tangle it / h.a.
*
groan of door
butterfly-stitch
a scream through the shawl
drips a pulp
and grandma’s brain hangs
from his grinning jaw / s.w.
*
crime scene tape
“lost in the woods, huh?
anyone see ya?”
coarse laughter
some of Nottingham’s finest
snarking donuts from a basket / l.k.
*
Part 2 – ‘Briar Rose’
spins the wheel
a witch’s cackle
penetrates the castle wall
‘hush now baby girl’
over distant marsh lands
hangs the mist of fall / s.w.
*
the legend grows
beauty to be roused
from poisoned slumber
child’s sword
slays the crimson dragon
in diamonds of fire / r.m.
*
piercing stillness
only silence
broken by the cry of birds
crossing earth and water
the prince has dreams
of a kiss, a rose… / h.a.
*
after the brambles
the creak of a leather jacket
room to room
flies stopped in flight
a pitcher pouring but not pouring
portraits with closed eyes / l.k.
*
curtain of velvet drift
sunbeams of dust
across leadlight and stone
lips like shaded cherry
meet in a moment of time . . .
she sleeps no more / r.m.
*
porcelain arms open
as if spellbound again
until just before day
the swirl of waltzes
through silkened space
as they go on their way… / h.a.
Larry Kimmel website 