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Ann Alexander won 1st prize in Mslexia’s poetry competition (2007), and Bedford Open (2007). Other prizes include the Frogmore, BBC Poem for Britain, and Peterloo. She lives in Cornwall now.
Visit your mother. Note the weather.
Read the map of her face. Hard going, today.
Parry with talk of the rain outside
and the pain inside.
What have you been up to?
Her voice is lemons and sermons.
You give the edited version, leaving out
the sex and drugs and rock and roll.
You keep an eye on the door.
She purses her lips. Help me up.
You pull her to her feet.
You’re a good girl, she says,
to my white hair.
You hand over the flowers. Happy Mothers!
you say, closing your eyes for the kiss
that never comes.
Published in Mslexia, November 2011
Publications:
Too Close, Ward Wood Publishing, 2010
Nasty British & Short, Peterloo Poets, 2007
Facing Demons, Peterloo Poets, 2002
Anthologies: Images of Women, Second Light Publications, 2006;
A Twist of Malice, Grey Hen Press, 2008;
Essential Poems for Britain, Harper Collins, BBC
4 Penlee Manor Drive
Penzance
Cornwall
TR18 4HW
tel: 01736 367 596
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