Pratibha Castle
The sea sparkles, a glimmer of fallen stars, glint on the horizon of coral light. I pause at the water's edge, bowl my hands as if dawn might be cradled like a gull’s egg. Waves sluice the shore, the legs of an oyster catcher stood, head bent, a prophet hearkening; my bare toes scrabbling at lines fine as capillaries. Mysteries clammed in sand and heart that, as I watch, dissolve. Sun seeping through the clouds is an ache for my mother’s smile at our chance meeting by the Cross when, instead of spoiling her with tea and craic, I hurried on.
Pratibha Castle’s award-winning debut pamphlet A Triptych of Birds and A Few Loose Feathers (Hedgehog Poetry Press) publishes 2021. An Irish poet living in England, her work appears in literary magazines including Agenda, Dreich, HU, Blue Nib, Live Encounters Poetry & Writing. Highly Commended in various poetry competitions, she reads regularly on West Wilts Radio.
Old Water Rat Publishing 