Live Encounters Poetry & Writing 16th Anniversary Volume Seven
November- December 2025
A Slice of Moon, poems by Sven Kretzschmar.
A Slice of Moon
It is October and the early days
when melancholy strikes for no reason.
Maybe it is the entering of the season
of shadows, but a joy for light
remains. And yet, conkers have started
turning, half their leaves eaten away
since spring. Their hammered rust only
a sign of infestation, by morning
covered in veils of dew.
Long moments when water holds.
Before a slice of moon makes way
for traffic jams and foxes retreat
into fields again. This world of dew –
and yet I still can’t help but hope
for your bonfire kiss of leaves
padlocking a box of pains
before I fall asleep. And that
when I put my head to rest
you stay by my bed until I sleep.
German autumn, 2023
When all chestnuts were picked up from the lawn,
we left the garden to hedgehog and sparrows,
television saw us return. To the abandoned
rubble of Gaza. Not evicted this time,
obliterated. Our news not keen
yet on telling the stories behind iron
rain, osseous ashes, phosphorus
fog where once was quickness, dissension.
A desire to live.
Frozen apricity
A few scattered bales wrapped white
for winterfeed, and shreds of memory –
my trust in you in vain. Splintered
sunlight on the pond, distorted reflection –
what the world could look like. I think
of you often. Someone has gathered
crows on wire like braille music notations
in air fresh and clean, winter sun hangs
gentle between scuds and I long
for you through words, words. Under
boots, the soil does not shift. Two flocks
of starlings fly in waves like dunes
and sea wearing themselves out. Autumn
is not quite over yet, a nimble spider is
nearing the basement door. Next time I open
(up) to someone, it will be my autopsy.
© Sven Kretzschmar
Sven Kretzschmar hails from Germany. His poetry has been published widely in Europe and overseas, among other outlets in Writing Home. The ‘New Irish’ Poets (Dedalus Press, 2019), Hold Open the Door (UCD Press, 2020), Voices 2021 (Cold River Press, 2021) The Irish Times, The Storms, and Das Gedicht. He was awarded 2nd place at the Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2022