Mandy Beattie – Fruitless: Kiss of Life

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

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© 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.