View from Cook’s Beach [4]

by Kathryn Anna Marshall

Panic slows
I watch the confidence of swell
wearing sand from stone.

I match my breath.

I remember my head on Mom’s chest.
I remember sea shells
stolen
from Whitby beach.

I match my breath.

Far off welcome swallows swirl
white horses swell
recede
and bees bob around Manuka trees.

I match my breath.

Out there,
sheets of blackening rain
move on
and still

I match
my breath.
The welcome swallow is a native of Australasia

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Kathryn is based in Shropshire and began writing poetry as teenager. She finally
started taking her writing seriously in 2015 following her diagnosis with M.E. Kathryn was selected for Nine Arches Press Dynamo scheme in 2017, which helped her grow in confidence and determination, as well as putting her in touch with the wonderful online poetry community.
Kathryn’s publications to date include work in Mslexia and Words for the Wild. You can find out more about Kathryn’s work and what it’s like to live with M.E. on her blog https://kathrynannasite.wordpress.com/

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