THE WINGED MOON
FALL’S RISE ACROSS A DOWNWARD CURVE
Daniel Lockeridge
A curve like one of a mountain range—
that between the third and fourth
reaches—reaches
for that which holds up the depth, the width,
of my eye: the ancient fall.
Reaches my fiddly forehead
the palm shaped like a house
in the mountains,
and so your eyes see much like ancient day
leaves.
Leaves the age, the trunks
tumble into the lake
that loves
till the firewood is gone, till
it’s only an ember opening like falls
behind your ancient rise
that falls into my steely cupped lips,
to form light separated from space—
space forms
behind;
you, Rise,
reach
down.
HERA
Helen Oppenshaw
Fingerprints in stardust,
delicate indentations
made in the hollow of a womb.
Connections are forged in
a hidden ocean,
waves crested in the
dark bruise of birth.
Crater shadows
haunt and linger,
lifelines that grow -
finally spinning on their own axis,
held safely in Hera’s hands.
BOY HOOD
Bernard Pearson
Before you were king Tut ,
We sat with crocodiles,
And watched with them
For any movement,
In the belly of the great river.
That did speak not of its lethargy,
But of the dart and glint of life,
Now as I lift you up
The freshly hewn steps,
Heavy in your rank,
No one shall know again,
The treasure of your laugh,
The secrets of your day,
The Songbird in your heart.
ART THE JUDGEMENT by Olivia Mansfield
Olivia Mansfield’s multidisciplinary practice is rooted in classical painting, iconography, theology, historic culture, ritual and symbolism. Themes of myth, legend and folklore intertwine vividly in a playful balance of the abstract, botanical, celestial and figurative elements she encompasses. Her paintings will transport you to imaginary worlds both fantastical and tellurian, alluding to and echoing our existence. Wistful faces, wandering beasts, anointed altars, prophetic visions. Vessels, chambers, coracles, and crucibles all twist and jostle, swirling amongst the alluring, luscious, somewhat mercurial and volatile dwellings she creates.
Daniel Lockeridge is a 29-year-old Australian who has self-published two collections of poetry and two collections of meditative reminders. His poetry has been published multiple times in The Winged Moon, as well as in magazines and on websites such as Reverie Magazine, Free Verse Revolution, Livina Press and Boats Against the Current, among others. He also shares poems and loving reminders on his Instagram page @danlovepoetry.
Helen Openshaw is a Drama teacher from Cumbria. You can find her poems in Green Ink Poetry, Black Bough, Eat the Storms, Dust Poetry and Acropolis Magazine. Her first chapbook, A Revolution in the Sky is published by Alien Buddha Press. This year Helen will have a pamphlet published with Hedgehog poetry.
Bernard Pearson’s work has appeared in many publications, including; Aesthetica Magazine, The Edinburgh Review, Crossways, and The York Literary Review. In 2017 a selection of his poetry In Free Fall was published by Leaf by Leaf Press. In 2019 he won second prize in The Aurora Prize for Writing for his poem Manor Farm. He has also published two crime fiction novels.