poohsticks by Laurie Eaves

you snap

a stick off a sunburnt beech

meet the river’s rush and throw /

chase the current as it cradles

your battered branch across

the cascade crashing

to the wash below /

i wheeze freezingly behind /

catch the autumn

crabapple burn in your cheeks /

tear a twig from a lumpy

yew / aim an elbow

at the knucklewhite

rapids / hurl the wood with herculean

strength straight at my wellied toes /

a lost robin rides

your silent smile to the sky /

another try / i twist

a sprig off a crisp

birch / grip

my frostglass fingers /

feel them melt

as you wrap your mittened

hand around mine / arch

my arm back

gently / teaching me

to let go

---

Laurie Eaves is a writer from the village of Yapton. His debut collection, Biceps (2020), is published by Burning Eye Books and his work has been published by Bad Betty Press, Ink Sweat & Tears, Poetry Rivals and Spoken Word London amongst others. He co-hosts the Dead Darlings podcast and co-produces the Vogon Poetry Slam.

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