“Kites have a universal predator – The tree!” – Broadcasting House, Radio 4, 28/11/10, report on Michael Morpurgo in Gaza
All day, each day, I stand root-stock still and steadfast,
waiting for victims to snare. I work in a team,
offer you up my leaves in solidarity
to show you how it’s done.
Paid
12345out
1234567890on
123456789012345lines,
you climb thermals,
swoop into dives.
My limbs welcome
your crash landing.
Come, my pretty.
Your wing’s
1234567890my prayer.
© Mat Riches
Picture 10275591, photograph by H Armstrong Roberts, 1950s, image copyright Mary Evans / Classic Stock
Mat Riches is ITV’s poet-in-residence (they don’t know this). His work has appeared in a number of journals and magazines, most recently New Statesman, Wild Court, The High Window and Finished Creatures. He co-runs the Rogue Strands poetry evenings, and reviews for HappenStance, The High Window, London Grip and The Friday poem. He has a pamphlet due out from Red Squirrel Press in 2023. He is on Twitter as @matriches and blogs at Wear The Fox Hat.