Reviewing politics
and culture since 1913

  1. Culture
  2. Poetry
9 December 2020

NS Poetry: Car Park, Christmas Eve and January 1st

Two new poems by Alison Brackenbury.

By Alison Brackenbury

Car Park, Christmas Eve

Red, quivered sky, first rain sign, blurred to purple,
drops rinsed around a glass before the rest.
Wrapped bottles clink. How unpoured wine tastes best.
 

January 1st 

Flashed by my torch, white petals,
fine rain which leaves no mark.
So this is our new winter,
roses in the dark.

Alison Brackenbury is a poet based in Gloucestershire. She is the author of nine poetry collections including “Gallop” (Carcanet) and the winner of an Eric Gregory Award.

[See also: The NS Poem: Mam Tor]

Content from our partners
Mental health: The productivity puzzle
Resilience starts with design and disclosure
A power for good?

Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month

This article appears in the 08 Dec 2020 issue of the New Statesman, Christmas special