Up Against It by Claudia Court

Arts Richmond

Online - 02 September 2020

You stride with purpose

wellies squelching, bantams fleeing

in your wake. Feed the chickens

lock their coop, cock-a-hoop

outwit the fox, no time to lose

before this twilight ends.

You pour out whiskies

ice cubes creaking,

soda sighing in the glass. Drink to friendship

knock it back, cock-a-hoop

enjoy the buzz, no time to lose

before this twilight ends.

You pause a moment

thoughts collapsing, nouns colliding

in your head. Think of something

link the loop, cock-a-hoop

you can’t recall, no time at all

until this twilight ends.

from ABOUT TIME, the 2019 anthology of shortlisted entries from The Roger McGough Poetry Prize. Copies of this Anthology can be purchased for £5 including P&P from Arts Richmond.