Regret

Regret

By Helen Barter

Out, damned spot! out, I say!

Here's the mark of regret still:  

All the lasers of Harley Street

Will not sweeten this misjudgement.

I must bear the scar.

What's done cannot be undone .....

1970's Mere

1970's Mere

by Helen Barter

And there we were

you and me, in a beautiful pea-green 

paddle boat.

Bright red handles of

innocence turning 

water 

churning 

as

bare knee brushes bare knee

and the sun shines.

Edison's Elephant

Edison's Elephant

By Helen Barter

All the fun of the fair.

Smile for the camera.

Smile damn you, smile.

Smile as the foetid smoke rises

from between your toes.

Smile as you fall; darkly.

Rigor mortis

stiffens my resolve

as well as your tortured body.