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23rd February, 2024

Friday Poem – ‘Statues’ by Elizabeth Parker

Photo of an empty stone bird bath in the sun

This week’s Friday Poem is ‘Statues’ by Elizabeth Parker from her new collection Cormorant. Join us on Thursday 21st March for the Cormorant Book Launch at Waterstones Bristol Galleries.

Statues
Pygmy Pinetum Garden Nurseries, July 2020
Among the statues –
first visit since lockdown –
my son dips his finger in a bird bath.
Limestone cockle on a plinth.
I watch it refracted,
want to snatch his hand back
from the algae-slimed dreg of rain
cupping, altering
sky,
silver birch,
my child;
reminding me
he will be changed.
He wipes his hand on his shorts,
returns to me
telling of the tricks of water.
Shadows quiver
on a replica Easter Island Head.
He will be changed.
For now, just this: small hands
gesturing wonder;
yellow hair, red coat;
momentary angling
of light waves.