Improving Virgo's Home

The weight of hope stooped her shoulders,
Bent her into a pale visionary with
A freshly laundered smile.
She nervously joined the morning hustle,

While keys jingled in her head,
Collided with bass riffs plastered
Against the German windows.
New days, new ways, she repeated,
Maneuvering across objectionable lanes of traffic.
New days, new ways to improve.

The ring of winter traveled down telephone
Poles into houses fighting to keep a feather
Of warmth between the freezing sheets.
New days, new ways, she said.
She didn’t believe.
Lies trump litanies in any game,
And she’d left her conviction at home.

Time Trials

At two hundred miles an hour on bald tires,
Urgency jumped the raw, red light.
Burning down a road bulging with desperation,
I delivered a bastard with wet fingers and wipe-outs.
The caution flag waves, pit crews scramble.
Time is a ruthless competitor, too much torque.
I want to snap the brake cables,
Hammer the accelerator through the floor,
Laugh at those solid white lines of banality
And finish with a blown head gasket.

Press Release - Macmillan Cancer Support - Soul Feathers

Local Poet features alongside Poet Laureate and Bob Dylan

Local poet Jolen Whitworth who lives in Leeds, is being published alongside a host of high profile names for Indigo Dreams Publishing’s anthology in participation with (and in aid of) Macmillan Cancer Support – Soul Feathers.

Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, world superstar Bob Dylan and Renaissance Woman Maya Angelou have joined forces with the likes of Seamus Heaney, Leonard Cohen, Benjamin Zephaniah and classic poets from the past to create a wonderful anthology of 280 pages for just £11.00.

The book has a general theme of hope and the title was formed from the poem by Emily Dickinson that begins “Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul….” Jolen’s poem is titled From The Silence and was selected from over 1000 submissions.

Soul Feathers has an official publication date of 1^st February and pre-orders for immediate despatch on or prior to publication date are now being taken. It is being distributed by Central Books and may be ordered by telephoning 0845 458 9910, by going to the publishers’ website at www.indigodreams.co.uk or by giving the title and quoting ISBN 978-1-907401-36-7 at any local bookshop.

Indigo Dreams Publishing Ltd – Ronnie Goodyer

Please feel free to contact the poet directly:

Contact: Jolen Whitworth

Email: salemsgate@mac.com