Walking

The soles of my feet are cracking,
deep lines like a map not properly folded,
the dirt ingrained.
I've never been good with shoes,
couldn't grasp the looping of laces,
the pressure of high heels.

I limp through the city of no streets.
It's hot and the dogs watch me warily,
otherwise I stay invisible
in a language I never learned.

Here there is green to spare,
paths that shine in the late afternoon sun.
The other side of the penny.
It's not just money,
the polishing of promises,
the impossibility of going bare foot.

The smooth wooden floors creak softly.
I pad up and down this beautiful prison.
My eyes are blistered,
too much seen too fast.
I want to stroll through
the open fields of your smile.
Escape from this battle field.

My toes curl in anticipation.
No matter how tired I get
I will keep on till I reach your door.

After The Explosions

I'm fine, I'm at home
You should have rung
I'm sorry
I was so worried
I'm sorry
You're at home?
Yes
Stay there
Okay
I love you, you know
I know

Aoife Mannix is an Irish poet based in London. Her first full collection of poetry 'The Elephant In The Corner' was published in July 2005 Tall Lighthouse. Her work has been published in the anthologies Velocity (the best of Apples and Snakes), Short Fuse: The Global Anthology of New Fusion Poetry, Kin, The Message Within, Inclement Anthology, Twilight Road, The Book of Hope, In Our Own Words, 100 Poets Against The War and Gargoyle as well as numerous magazines. Her poetry has also been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, London Live, Resonance FM, and the BBC World Service. She was the 2001 Farrago London Slam! champion. She won first prize in the Arts Angels Poetry Competition 2002 and the 1998 Dr Marten's New Writers Competition.

Her first poetry collection 'The Elephant in the Corner' is now available from www.tall-lighthouse.co.uk. You can also check out some of my writing on Spoiled Ink.

Email: Aoife Mannix

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