Biography

John Irving Clarke was born and brought up in Carlisle. He taught English for many years reaching the dizzy heights of Head of English and then Assistant Headteacher before leaving to tutor Adult Education Creative Writing classes and concentrate upon his own work. His first poems appeared in Raven magazine and most recently he has been published in Butcher's Dog, Yorkshire Bylines and the Morning Star. Alongside Jimmy Andrex, he organised the Red Shed Readings spoken word event and continues to run the annual Red Shed Poetry Competition. He lives in Wakefield with his wife, plotting visits to their son in New York and watching in dismay as the pound sinks against the dollar.

Smiling, like a pale disc through cloud

On World Book Day Kirsty has had enough It was the bad apple moon, the stupidity of one thing being described as another which caused the oceans within her to turn and pound upon the rocks. She’d removed the dust from the butterfly of truth cupped between her hands and soon she would begin to squeeze. Her teacher today is the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland smiling, like a pale disc through cloud, Yesterday, you had such good ideas. But Kirsty snatches the cotton fleece with the careful abandon with which she had slashed her arms, kicks back her chair and walks. Her only comfort. John Irving Clarke

Adults wring their hands and connive

Uvalde: A Prayer Children are murdering children again. May spilled blood sanctify the classroom soiled. Because adults wring their hands and connive, may your seed, grasses and peace lilies grow. John Irving Clarke

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.