STEEP TEA and Haiku

Hurtling on the Virgin East Coast train from Edinburgh toward King's Cross, London. Last night's reading at The Sutton Gallery went well, I think. About 40 people packed the place. Colin Herd, the owner of the gallery, was a sweetheart. David and Eric were there. It was lovely meeting Henry King, my fellow contributor to New Poetries V.

I have known Rob A. Mackenzie, my host, on-line for about 15 years, first through an Internet poetry workshop, so it was a real pleasure to meet him in person, and to hear him read his work. The other readers Janette Ayachi and Tessa Berring were a terrific contrast in styles, and rendered their poetry very individually. Afterwards a group of us went to the Star Bar, and I got to know more of Rob's friends. Many interesting conversations, among which I picked up the factoid that Scotland exports its excess energy to England.

Rob and I walked back to his home in Leith. On the way, we passed through the pink triangle, the gay area in Edinburgh. Leith, built around a port, has long been incorporated into Edinburgh but retains an independent spirit. It reminds me of Brooklyn, with its ethnic restaurants and shops, and young writers and artists roaming its streets.



Crows in the distance
barb the telephone wires
hi, anyone there?


Crows in the distance
barb the telephone wires
sheep or lint?


Crows in the distance
barb the telephone wires
since he left the train


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