It is a real privilege to me a honorary member with the Poetry Cooperative
I am thrilled to have two of my poems published in their FEAR LESS book of poetry collections and to have another published on their site you read all about them and find my poem Reptile here
Earthsong July 2024
Roasted marshmallows,
Ravished hearts.
Smiles behind tears,
Cracked lips.
A body desperate to dance,
Eye contact with strangers.
A surprise sibling,
Only grace, only love, only peace.
Mud and manky coffee.
Eggy bread a feast,
Chocolate crepes compensate.
I welcome the trees on our woodland walk,
Like long lost friends.
Their sleep is my reprieve.
Drums bounding,
People chatting,
I lay in the dark cocoon between my children in sleeping bags.
A gift of a fist of chips,
A thank you from my five year old,
For our glorious time together.
Lizzy Shortall
Dec 2024
Baby’s Breath
Before I enter the house,
I tap the tip of my boot,
Leaving the ice behind me.
Heat envelopes me.
I press my frozen cheek
Against my baby’s.
She generously shares her warmth.
Her milky breath delights me.
I tell her how the nearby lane was growing,
Overflowing with baby’s breath flowers
Just eleven weeks ago.
I had known it was inviting her.
I did too.
She looks at me,
Her eyes pure.
Leaning our foreheads together.
Somehow we already know each other.
Lizzy Shortall
2017
Little Red Shoes
Little red shoes,
You take away my blues.
Like a hose full of joy,
You wash away the dust.
You walk beside me,
Almost tripping,
But not quite.
Sweet giggles from inside
Melt any old frostiness.
Oh little red shoes
I love you.
Lizzy Shortall
2015