or, What Carol Saw From the Train, Part the First.

This poem was written as part of a workshop on Ekphrasis – writing poetry based on an image/artwork. My inspiration for this was a sculpture by Thomas Heatherwick called B of the Bang.

It is sacred
The moment Before
Nothing exists except
     The Breath
     The Energy
     The End Point

The Breath
     Controlled, focussed – anchoring the Now

The Energy
     Coiled, straining – aching to break free

The End Point
     One hundred meters ahead – not far at all
     And a Life’s ambition away

The Silence holds…holds…

And then…

IGNITION

PAROXYSMofMovementDETONATIONfreesHungerHungerPROPELSbody.
ChemicalsMusclesCOMBUSTInfinitudeofMinuteReactions
FueltheDrivetheThirsttheCravingforSPEED

Tenseconds.

Almostbeforetheecho of the starting Blast has f a d e d 

It is done.