Moving In

The upper floor of the old byre
a darkness made of owl-stare—
its blink drinks you in.

A scythe hung under the last gasp
of a rafter. An armchair sprouts
the beards of men who died in it.

The skylight a cataract woven
by funnel-spiders; a car roof-box
full of barbells and throwing knives

and scattered across creaking planks
that any moment might give—
fur balls, owl pellets, rickles of tiny bones.

As I descend the ladder each worn tread
a hand cupping my foot: take care take care
says the dust in my hair, you live here now.

Jon Miller was shortlisted for the Wigtown Poetry prize, was winner of the Neil Gunn Poetry competition and was one of the winners of the International Book and Pamphlet Competition in 2022. His latest pamphlet Past Tense Future Imperfect is published by Smith|Doorstop.