by Michael Ashley
when my father
pointed out the belt
and sword
I never really saw it
he called it Orion
and told me
when we weren’t together
we’d both be able to see it
recently it dawned
this was his half-arsed
way of saying goodbye
perhaps if I’d been
a little older
I may have made more
of the moment
but even today I can’t make
out The Hunter
it all still looks like sky
to me.
–
Michael Ashley is a 30 year old man who lives in Huddersfield. In between the humdrum of life and walking his dogs, he writes a little poetry.
The Pygmy Giant 
#1 by jennifer walmsley on January 29, 2012 - 8:36 am
Love the simplicity of this which speaks volumes. There’s bitterness after abandonment there. Those last lines, for me, imply that he doesn’t want to see Orion.
#2 by ramsea on January 29, 2012 - 9:24 am
Beautiful and disturbing. Thank you for this—it really struck at the heart.
#3 by A Ward on January 29, 2012 - 4:28 pm
Really liked this one Michael. Hope you write a little more!
#4 by Jan Lane on February 1, 2012 - 11:57 am
Michael, I really liked the simplicity and depth. I hope to see more of your work.
#5 by Cath Barton on February 1, 2012 - 6:20 pm
Sparse and sure.
#6 by Sir Algernon on February 1, 2012 - 10:27 pm
I thought this was really funny. Touching yes, but funny mostly. I love the phrase ‘half-arsed’. It should be used more often.
#7 by Sandra on February 2, 2012 - 6:59 pm
There’s a voice in this that comes through really well. Really enjoyed it, thank you,