A new publication in the Poem by Post Series, in collaboration with visual artist Susan Bennetta, a creative outcome arising from a recent residency “Making Light Work”, at the former Paraffin Store to the Lighthouse (see Research page). I responded to one of Susan’s cyanotypes, bluebells.  This hand-sewn pamphlet is available from our press.

 

Bluebells at St Anthony…

From the lighthouse

along cliff track

between them

(argand and electric lamp)

an empty stretcher

wooden, bed-flat, hung up.

Here, above the sea

at the paraffin store

you make cyanotypes

potential for light contained

scrape-marks on old stone

miracle and lost things

hedge and kissing gate

for the years between

you choose bluebells

and this poem, you.

After day’s light

distance safe

a secret place

is wildflower deep

coffin, cattle-trough

by churchyard path

…in Roseland

 

 

© Philip Bennetta, 2018