Here in Los Angeles we’re grateful that each day people from around the world visit the Silver Birch Press blog — and we’d  like to get to know you better through your poetry about and/or photographs of the place where you live.

PROMPT: Tell us about where you live in a poem — and especially how you feel about the place and what it means (or doesn’t mean) to you. Or show us where you live in a photo.

WHAT: Submissions can be original or previously published poems or original photographs. You retain all rights to your work and give Silver Birch Press permission to publish on social media and in a potential print edition.

WHEN: We’ll feature the work in the Where I Live Poetry & Photography Series during February and March 2015.

HOW TO SUBMIT: Email one poem to silver@silverbirchpress.com as an MSWord attachment — and in the same…

How I wish,

you were around,

to keep my feet,

upon this ground,

to clip my wings,

and whisper this…

Life’s a play –

protagonist,

don’t give up,

and don’t give in,

it’s just a game,

that no one wins.

© Protagonist 29.01.2013

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

THE WAITING GAME
by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

I am waiting for my turn.
Playing the game,
forever stuck.
Do not pass GO,
do not collect £200.

I am waiting to see the blue Angel,
to battle the red square,
stroll down Park Lane
and stay a while…
at the Mayfair.

I am waiting for my Chance,
my, Get Out of Jail Free,
the bank error in my favour,
to win second place in – anything,
my inheritance.

Instead,
I go back three spaces,
make general repairs to my green house,
pay my taxes – that’s fine,
for Doctor’s fee – read prescription.

I’m done with waiting!
Do I pay a £10 fine,
or take a Chance,
or do I wait –
two die?

IMAGE: “Monopoly Board Game” by Tek Image. Prints available at fineartamerica.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alexandra Carr-Malcolm was born and raised in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK, and now…

 

 

 

 

Do you know,

the other side of me?

Where the grass is greener,

and the soul is darker.

 

Do you know only,

my second face?

Not like the rest,

the one I keep for best.

 

Do you know,

if this is sunny side up

heads up, tales down,

turn that frown

upside down?

 

I think you know,

Little Miss Sunshine,

but have you met Judy

within or without?

 

Do you know,

the essence of me?

Not that of vanilla,

of sugar and spice,

but one of fear.

 

Do you know,

the other side of me?

Where the grass is greener,

and the soul is darker.

 

© The Other Side of Me 2012

By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Punch and Judy’s Carribean Vacation (Photo credit: _william)

 

I have a friend,

Carole with an, ‘e’,

who always,

courted tragedy.

She is the one,

that you will know,

skirt tucked in pants,

she crossed the road.

With flashing earrings –

Disco diva,

at party time,

you dare not leave her.

Across the floor,

her stuff she’ll strut,

with loo roll fluttering,

from her foot.

She plays the bagpipes,

I swear it’s true!

With cheeks bright red,

she’ll kill a tune!

If she were a colour,

I have to say,

shocking pink,

would make her day!

You know the saying…

Why’s it me?

That comes from my friend,

Carol Withany.

We all will know,

a Carole Withany,

she is the best friend,

that could ever be!

© Carole Withany 23.08.2012

By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm