Two poems, by Mark Valentine

 

The Rhythm Machine

It calculates that I like
sunrise in a far galaxy
comet melodies
whistling stars
flying saucers
blue love, blue looks
lark rise as heard
by the third ear 

Good. It hasn’t
found out yet
about double syrup
the carnival apple
frozen orange juice
honey on the tongue
the ghost in the coffee cup
and the taste of winter 

 

 

Piccalilli Variations

cauliflower, carrot, courgette
red onion, cornflower, sugar, salt
cider vinegar, mustard, turmeric
fennel, coriander, cumin seeds 

cauliflower, cucumber, onions
green beans, vinegar, caster sugar
mustard powder, turmeric, garlic
flour, allspice, nutmeg, salt 

pickling onions, cauliflower, cucumber
french beans, malt vinegar, rock salt
muscovado sugar, cornflour, garlic
mustard seeds, ginger, turmeric 

cauliflower, cabbage, green beans
carrots, white vinegar, sugar
red chilli, green chilli, garlic
cumin, turmeric, mustard, salt 

cauliflower, courgette, shallots,
apple, caster sugar, cornflower
cider vinegar, root ginger, coriander
mustard seeds, turmeric, salt 

cider vinegar, cauliflower, marrow,
beans, onion, sugar, mustard,
cornflour, turmeric, coriander,
allspice, cinnamon, ginger, salt 

cauliflower, gherkins, silverskins
french beans, mustard seeds, salt
cider vinegar, honey, cinnamon
nutmeg, turmeric, ginger, cloves

Mark Valentine is from Northampton and now lives in Yorkshire. His short stories and essays are published by the independent presses Tartarus (UK), Swan River (Ireland), Sarob (France), Zagava (Germany) and others. His poetry has appeared in PN Review, Agenda, ink, sweat and tears, M58, dadakuku and elsewhere, and in chapbooks.