Mark Andrew Heathcote

Confession

Eve's lover comes to warm her with hot apple tea, 
he brings the peppermint the acidity of lemon
she brings supplies the honey, the vitamin C
he needs, he hands her over a piece of ripe heaven 
at the core, all she wants is to bite this phial of venom.
And hear his heart's deepest, darkest confession
forget all about fig leaves and noble discretion.

Poetry Is A Confessional Box

Poetry is a confessional box you never leave
you can only lie to yourself for so long
before you demand truthful answers and wish
to hear more than an indistinct voice in the wilderness.
It's an inner calling to gather insights beyond
these four walls and once it's-been-opened
a wellspring rushes forth, a confession without end
with or without forgiveness, asks for a hearing
not to be proud but just to be welcomed as rain could,
a rainbow, passing through its many different honest phases.
To distil once more on a window pane or dislodge
a tear long since frozen in other poems' disgruntled pages.
Sat with hands and stomach knotted, praying
for a thousand pointless different answers.


Divinity Of Sorts


Blest, aren't we with a divinity of sorts? 
Isn't-life-following-some sort of grand design?
Love your love, isn't it a divinity divine
for me to take as mine and extort 
in full payment, what is rightfully mine in kind? 

'Love isn't just some rosy cul de sac
nor is it a brief roll-in-the-haystack.
followed by a momentary lapse-
of memory a confession, I've amnesiac 
love is a divinity of sorts; well, perhaps.

If you don't believe me take a good look
look outside and humbly gaze in awe
stare at all these treasures and wonders in store.
If-you-just-sail down the Panama Canal
of your heart what a venture you'll entrepreneur.

Mark Andrew Heathcote is adult learning difficulties support worker. He has poems published in journals, magazines, and anthologies both online and in print. He resides in the UK and is from Manchester. Mark is the author of “In Perpetuity” and “Back on Earth,” two books of poems published by Creative Talents Unleashed.