9H Pencil
In the first turn
of the stubby little pencil sharpener
is a reminder for next door
To keep an eye
out for a missing cat
and can they water the tomato plants
A second turn
and the paper thin shaving
rolls away
A third turn
and there’s a new word
that would beat all known scores
The rousing blade
is getting
to the point of the matter
The last twist
is a sealed bond
containing all that you need to know
Gareth Writer-Davies, gardener living in Letchworth. Over last couple of years, after a girlfriend told him to get serious, he has been widely published. In 2012 shortlisted for Erbacce Prize and Highly Commended for Geoff Stevens Memorial Prize.