Robert Nisbet
Robert Nisbet is a Welsh poet who has had two pamphlets published (one of them as a prize-winner) in his native land, and who has been published regularly in the USA in San Pedro River Review, Third Wednesday and Burningword Literary Journal.
The Allotment
He knew Joe well, an older man, but lovely company.
They worked at their allotments, sharing thoughts
of growth and mulch and plant maturity.
It was a tranquil time. Just once he’d been told
(Joe never mentioned it) of an early tragedy,
a daughter, described as a truly radiant girl,
but lost when post-natal pain overwhelmed her.
Much later on he realised that he’d known
the girl himself. And “radiant” was right.
They said in the café, the owner Vic, the kids,
that that girl lit up the room. And she and he,
a couple of Saturdays, café friends, talked,
as so many did, of getting away, of painting
townscapes scarlet, a youthful jukebox joy.
the girl himself. And “radiant” was right.
They said in the café, the owner Vic, the kids,
that that girl lit up the room. And she and he,
a couple of Saturdays, café friends, talked,
as so many did, of getting away, of painting
townscapes scarlet, a youthful jukebox joy.
All that was more than half his life away
and he’d think now more and more of Joe,
rising to greet him, brushing earth from fingers
and telling him sometimes that tale of how,
whatever life might deal, he had those plants,
that growth, and yes, it was a joy, it was slow
but it returned, and was always a comfort.
