Mark McDonnell lives in Staffordshire, England, where he teaches English in a secondary school. His poetry has appeared in various journals. His poem "Communion" was shortlisted for the 2017 TLS Mick Imlah Poetry Prize and his poem "Old Fools" was recently nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

Mark McDonnell

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All Hallowed

Autumn light at last. Pale
yellow, shifting with the dust.
I may never finish that book
or again be truly awake.
Your tongue helps you paint
wooden rainbow creatures.
Frankenstein's monster collapses
with your small god's thumb.
From the open window I lean
to hear afternoon whispers.
Pensioners in dry rooms
rustling sweets,
another leaf, a distant train,
a neighbour pulling weeds.
Pull up a chair to the light, my girl.
These are the days of gold.