Philip Burton

Bacup, Lancs. UK

 

In 2019, Philip Burton concurrently held four poetry competition First prizes, including: the Jack Clemo, the Sandwich (Kent) Poet of the Year, and the Barn Owl Trust.

Philip won Third prize in the Ware Poets 2020 competition.

Indigo Dreams published his pamphlet, titled His Usual Theft, in August 2017.

 

Poem written on 1st July 2020

 

A  Lock on the Dying       

 

I’d seen a manager once, within an ace

of relegation, talk earnestly to a match-ball

about the game.

 

Today, her father downed by the virus,

I chanced on a neighbour, at the harbour wall.

Before the bus came

 

we talked. Not a football she said, it’s us,

Dad and me. Ward phone time, I call

and stroke his head.

 

No harm, is there? It works. Feel his face.