Mandy Beattie – Fruitless: Kiss of Life

Beattie LE P&W Vol 1 Nov-Dec 2025

Download PDF Here

Live Encounters Poetry & Writing 16th Anniversary Volume One
November- December 2025

Fruitless: Kiss of Life, poems by Mandy Beattie.


Fruitless: Kiss of Life

If I can ease one life…. or help one fainting Robin 
unto his nest again I shall not live in vain — Emily Dickinson

Skinny as a wishbone a fledgling ousted
from nesting, quavered, quivered on concrete. Janie
scooped her up like ladling broth; couried her to galloping
breastbone: Rapped on the vet’s brass knocker — The slash
of his guillotine-hand said, Put it back, nothing can be done
Janie stepped off his polished parquet into furious sun
Unearthed a budgie cage; carpeted its steel-nest with
trimmings, furnishings, resistance. Fed her milk-mashed
Weetabix from a straw-teat, pharynx gobbling like turkey
giblets. In the wee hours she wormed her way out
of a walkabout seed drawer, took her maiden flight into
an ebony stereo speaker: Janie earthed her under
a peace rose as hollow epithets hovered
on her tongue like sycamore seeds
waiting to float to earth

Go Lady Diva:
A Narrative Ghazal for Lady Godiva

Ride you naked thro’ the town, and I repeal it
— Leofric, Earl of Mercia

At market she heard serf rumours of rising taxes
it haunted Lady Godiva
The fault lay with the King and Lord Mercia
discovered Lady Godiva

Returning to lichen walls of their castle
she waylaid Leofric, Lord Mercia
His vaunted penury: plates empty, bellies gaunt
revolted Lady Godiva

Lord Mercia’s taunting dare if she rode out bare
he would cede tithes
Her mettlesome mien flummoxed Lord Mercia
beseeched him did Lady Godiva

Jaunted to Coventry she spoke to the people
of Leofric’s scheme. Commanded
them home the morrow; keep from windows and doors
demanded Lady Godiva

Lamented riding unclad, to Banbury Cross
with rings on her fingers and bells
on her toes: Silk spun tresses hid modesty’s blushes
it daunted Lady Godiva

Peeping Tom truant, flaunted disregard for her order
his lust struck blind by some unseen hand
Lord Mercia did not raise levies
kept his oath to Lady Godiva

A cathedral erected and her comely cameo
stained-glass cast — A monk scribed:
Lady Mercia did plead, avidly goad Leofric
for love of townsfolk, The Lady Godiva

 

*Anagrams of Lady Godiva:
Go Lady Diva
Avidly goad


© Mandy Beattie

Mandy Beattie is a feminist, former social worker and academic. Her poetry’s published in, The Waxed Lemon, Poets Republic, Drawn to The Light, WordPeace, Orphic Review, Crowstep, Abridged, The Banyan Review, Gyroscope Review, Full House Literary, Verse-Virtual, Abridged and many more. Prizewinner and shortlisted poet and Best of Net nominee 2024, 2025.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.