Zdenek sells Physalis alkekengi at Dejvická in December

With him, at the dark, open jaw of the metro,
Orange lanterns, that shoulder their own light.

Tangerine knuckles to electrify the drawn dim,
The wrapping of his hands and the drawing-in
Of him, his coat, his cucumber thumbs

That stare through the stalks and place
Him waiting. Fold him, grey with moleskin.
The last light travelling the grain of callous,

Pink-tipped as tongues; smarting, chipped
Thickenings that stub the coins and speak
To palms of orange at home in vases.

*Poem by Helen Pletts 
whose two collections, Bottle bank and For the chiding dove, are both
published by YWO/Legend Press (supported by The Arts Council) and
available on Amazon. ‘Bottle bank’ was longlisted for The Bridport
Poetry Prize 2006, under Helen’s maiden name of Bannister. You are
welcome to visit www.stem-of-quietly-disarrayed-fertility.com.

*Image by Romit Berger who says  “I am a graphic designer. I met my very dear friend, Helen Pletts, in Prague, several years ago. Helen’s inspiration has led my graphic design career into that magical realm which combines illustration and poetry, and our creative wings continue to connect our souls through time and distance.”