Lawrence Moore

@lawrencemoore

Poet. Pushcart, Forward nominated. This Joyful Interlude out now with @janes-studio.bsky.social 🕊️ UK link: amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 Vegan, BLM

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Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 6d

Here's the lovely cover by Jane Cornwell and some nice quotes 🦋 Also, some more book links: FR amazon.fr/dp/B0FWKQBX77 DE amazon.de/dp/B0FWKQBX77 AU amazon.com.au/dp/B0FWKQBX77 #poem #poems #poetry #books #sealeychallenge 2/2

This Joyful Interlude, a full-length poetry collection by Lawrence Moore. Cover illustration by Jane Cornwell

'The poems here, hopeful and forgiving, are a balm and an antidote to the current coldness of the world. I look forward to getting happily lost in them again and again.' - Steve Denehan, author of A Quarter Dead and Half Alive

In This Joyful Interlude, Lawrence Moore shares a tender and reflective collection of poems that explore love, memory and the quiet wonder of the natural world. With a gentle voice and vivid imagery, Moore invites readers to slow down and notice the beauty in both the outer landscape and the inner life.

From rustling leaves to quiet moments of longing and connection, these poems speak to the joys and sorrows that shape us.

A follow-up to Aerial Sweetshop and The Breadcrumb Trail, this full-length collection marks Moore’s growth as a poet, blending tradition with openness and emotional clarity.

This Joyful Interlude is a warm, thoughtful companion for anyone drawn to poetry that comforts, questions and uplifts.

'The poems here, hopeful and forgiving, are a balm and an antidote to the current coldness of the world. I look forward to getting happily lost in them again and again.' - Steve Denehan, author of A Quarter Dead and Half Alive

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 6d

For one week, The Joyful Interlude is only 99p / 99c on Kindle at UK / US Amazon ✨ Here’s The Cauldron, a poem that appears late in the book Links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FWKQBX77 US amazon.com/dp/B0FWKQBX77 CA amazon.ca/dp/B0FWKQBX77 #poem #poetry #sealeychallenge 1/2

The Cauldron

Resemblant, yet different,
belatedly keen,
unsightly for many,
to others unseen.
Non-toxic by nature,
though frequently wrong,
remotely connected,
translucent, but strong,

in need of sharp tangent,
belaboured by fears,
ill-judgements, ill-fortunes,
advancements of years,
confounded, defeated
(assuming, although),
headfirst,
t’wards the cauldron,
together we go

and who knows anymore
what this world is about
(the zealots, the purists,
conversant in shout?),
if Eve munched an apple
with mischievous snake;
when stirred in the mixture,
what spell we should make,

but these candles look pretty,
our waiter seems nice,
my universe spins
when I fix on your eyes.
If anything certain,
with Eros on cue,
this night shall be magic,
one fairytale true.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 8d

We went to Keydell Nurseries today and Matt (my hubby) took this gorgeous picture at the duck pond. #nature #duckling

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 10d

I have two new poems out today in the August issue of The Candyman's Trumpet. Here's one of them, Ink and Wing 🕊 The Candyman's Trumpet is distributed digitally for free. To join the subscriber list, email jackcaradoctct@gmail.com

Ink and Wing

A host of sonnets about love
might work sometimes, but not today;
imagination not enough.

Shooting stars, climbing, high above,
the way these rushes swirl and sway,
a host of sonnets about love,

fine in themselves and verse thereof,
though cannot by themselves allay
when worth is weighed, push comes to shove.

In bitter fields, we chew the cud;
laments and lonely thoughts invade
a host of sonnets about love,

yet in the names of nobler stuff
were tables turned, were legends made,
through blizzards crazed, ’pon oceans rough.

Still flows the pen, still glides the dove,
from ink and wing, enunciate
a host of sonnets about love,
imagination not enough.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 13d

Here’s 'Wild-Eyed, in Love’ from my latest poetry collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 AU amazon.com.au/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry

Wild-Eyed, in Love

Arriving amongst these barley stems,
loosed grip
on the tragicomedies
of our lives.

Envelopment consummate
within a twitching mass of wonder,
we for once in agreement
with whisker, tail and claw.

Sun beats down,
lifts up
towards celestial contemplation,
thoughts discretely removed
from distractions
first sought as guides,

thrown back to Dawntime

when all things magic conjured
reaped acceptance;
innocent cuttings
wild-eyed,
in love.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 15d

Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't Nirvana, Pearl Jam or Alice In Chains

Become What You Are, an album by The Juliana Hatfield Three.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 16d

Visited my Mum in Hereford today. The painted ladies in her back garden were a bit shy, but with a little persistence, I got a couple of decent pics 🦋 #nature #butterfly #paintedlady

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 20d

Here’s 'Only Alchemies’ from my latest poetry collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 AU amazon.com.au/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry

Only Alchemies

Rum signpost, cryptic writing, ancient bard,
kaleidoscope, ascent of northern star,
decipherments of whispers on the breeze;
no conjurations, only alchemies.

These snowglobe flake suggestions, surface skims,
unravellings of slinkies snagged within,
peripheral to navigation’s aid;
however long my road, the mood is gay.

Beneath old ferns, abandoned garden shears
accumulating quaintly through the years,
your petulant narrator’s vacant stare,
romantic railway bridge in disrepair,
one fundamental pattern reappears.
The story’s hidden twist was always there.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 22d

A heron walking around the shallow waters of Baffins Pond, not far from the bank. #heron #nature

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 27d

So glad to see you back Annest! ❤️ Wishing you the very best in health, happiness and Bluesky adventures. P.S. Look what I found whilst walking round the mill pond at Emsworth last year 🙂

Poetry by Annest Gwilym at The Poetry Post, The Mill Pond, Emsworth

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· 27d

Here’s 'Regrets’ from my latest poetry collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 AU amazon.com.au/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry #books

Regrets

Sometimes wait a lifetime, too shy to appear;
sometimes just an instant, with downward slope sheer.
Sporadically spring from no obvious home,
admonish from corners, insistent, ‘Atone’.

Preferring the old, can still prey on the young.
Not keen on dissolving, remain on your tongue.
Impalpably moreish, they creep up on you,
regrets are delicious, especially when blue.

Serene judgement call met by all-out attack;
your wall-clattered knuckle, their vanishing back.
Unforwarded message, apology saved,
portraying the angel, enacting the knave.

Past creeds for the shredder, sown seeds disendow,
what ifs and could nevers (well nevers from now),
cruelties in the gutter where cruelties belong,
but none of it changes the truth;
they are gone.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jul 11

It (kind of) fits, I sits. Gatsby 🐱 #cats #catsofBluesky

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jul 8

Here’s 'Rituals’ from my latest poetry collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 AU amazon.com.au/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry #books

Rituals

In the towers we watch for our princes, princesses,
fretting their late arrival,
sniffing the rare autumnal air
for the slenderest signs of hope.

One twitch of a tree, southwest, mid-distance,
unwelcome ascent of sparrow.
Temptation to shrink to the size of a pin,
yet vigilance must resume.

If they find us uninformed,
then we promise to still be ready.

If we witness their advance,
we will at last throw down our locks.

If the moment sends us rain,
we may be saturated together.

If they rouse us from our slumber,
we shall consider this point our birth.

At twilight, we trace coarse fingers down
the limits of our enclosures;
hard-bitten, cold, unflinching stones
dismissive with all denial.

These leftovers from yesterdays,
itineraries tomorrows,
rituals to remind ourselves
of fancies likewise persistent.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jul 2

Here’s 'Peach Orchards’ from my latest poetry collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 AU amazon.com.au/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry

Peach Orchards

You appeared in my dreams for a second time last night
as I pranced through peach orchards, contentious with wind and rain.
You were dressed in November more deftly than past July.
We were looking, though never quite looking (that much unchanged).

To my febrile, self-conscious submission, you showed no fear,
pastel tinge of a smile on your face, then you held your ground.
If the view proved imposing, the thunderous greenface sheer,
still I longed for the same horizon, whilst gaping down.

Many inches upon that vertiginous plane I strove,
fully chilled to the bone as those menacing brainclouds warned.
You were freezing moreover; vacating behind your clothes,
dematerialising on flash of a lightning storm
as can happen in dreams, but before I turn lachrymose,
I’ll be prancing peach orchards again one November’s morn.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jul 2

Saw this beautiful speckled wood today whilst walking around Baffins Pond. #nature #butterfly

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jun 25

Here’s 'Adieu’ from my new poetry collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 AU amazon.com.au/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry #books #adieu

Adieu

Today arrived, a different shade of dirge;
did anybody recognise but she?
I lingered with the morning traffic surge
to gather greater evidence of me,

met only acquiescence from all drones,
grey vehicles uniformly headed out,
scarce passengers ensconced in mobile phones,
their drivers' minds preoccupied, devout.

Just over hill's horizon, silence gave,
precursor for a separate kind of tune.
Her kindred eyes, contemptuously brave,
along the carriageway, streaked into view;
dismissing dull delusions, fixed my way
regrettably fleetly, soon winked adieu.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jun 18

Here’s 'Hitch-Hiking’ from my new poetry collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 AU amazon.com.au/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry #books

Hitch-Hiking

Wandering this highway,
a time concluded,
before forgotten,
certain delusions regroup,
regather within my mind;

condemning psalms as yet unsung
(through language most unmusical),
choose symphonies
from dried and dusty tomes.

Down path unknown
I falter,
lacking all inkling
for where to tread,
loosely on speaking terms
with my fears of standing still,

but if you will,
one day,
find yourself
along this highway,
driving with purpose
towards some destination new,

can I come too?

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jun 11

Here’s 'Balloon Ride’ from my new collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Previously published by @feversof.bsky.social Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry

Balloon Ride

Liftoff
above the fairground,
the trees,
these patchwork fields,
fears thrust downwards
beyond all points of relevance
until I am drifting,
floating,
smiling
towards neighbouring clouds,
ready to reach out
and fold them
within my arms.

The distant laughter
of children
long ago
reminds me
that we were children once,
though that was then.

Seconds grinding by,
it takes two seagulls' plaintive cries
before I remember
you may forget,
begin to float once more
past rivers,
churches,
windmills,
cares,
that moment when all smiles,
transcending tears,
grow crystalised.

The aeronaut clips her flame
and as we descend,
truth slowly dawns;
that pending his next balloon ride,
Grumpy Great Uncle
is now restored.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jun 6

'Erasure Poem', which has just come second in @darkwinterlitmag.bsky.social 4th Anniversary Poetry Contest, is published today on their website ❤️ www.darkwinterlit.com/post/shortli... Here's a video of the poem. Sorry if it's a little quiet; maybe I need to speak up a bit more 😀 #poems #poetry

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jun 4

Here’s ‘Itinerant Forms’ from my new collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Previously published in Dreich Season 8 Issue 7 Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 #poem #poetry

Itinerant Forms

What exists is a question in heart and mind
that persists beyond skin and bone.
The jackdaw hatches, kingsnake unwinds,
caterpillar prolegs outgrown.
I am weaved through a melody false-arrived;
may I leave to a song my own.

If the rhythm is lumpy or silky smooth
as ice cream on a summer's day,
whether colours grow garish, remain subdued,
at this juncture, I cannot say,
but its constants will offer me keener truths
than itinerant forms convey.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Jun 1

I have a new children's poem - All Together, 'Booooooh!' - published today at the brilliant Tickets to Scary-Ness website ❤️ This one's in the new Historical Horrors section. Here's a link to all the new Historical Horrors poems: scaryness.com/historical-h... #poem #poems #poetry #poetrylovers

All Together, ‘Booooooh!’

The witch hunters are coming,
there’s little time to waste.
They’ve hatched a plan to grab mi’ Mam
and burn her at the stake.

They’re awfully excited,
they claim her cooking’s cursed,
they’ll reach our house tomorrow morn;
we’re going to get them first.

Horatio’s a harpy,
Pauline’s a poltergeist,
Ursula’s made a unicorn
who’s bored of playing nice.

Sebastian is a scarecrow,
Hussein’s a headless fool,
Rosemary chose a minotaur,
so I’m a dancing ghoul.

The convoy is approaching,
so proud, without a clue.
We’re bursting, shrieking, from the woods.
All together, ‘Booooooh!’

The witch hunters are leaving
and boy, they’re moving fast,
hysterical and hasty,
with fearful, feeble gasp.

Attach your boots and stirrups,
collect your pots and pans.
On unicorn and minotaur,
we’re riding back to Mam’s.

Many a person has suffered down the years after being suspected of witchcraft, but in thirteenth century France, the inquisitors were very unpopular and often found themselves ambushed before they could deliver any punishment. On this occasion, the ambushers have chosen fancy dress as their weapon of choice.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· May 28

Here’s ‘Is It My Place to Interfere?’ from my new collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Slide by @janes-studio.bsky.social Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 #poem #poetry

Is It My Place to Interfere?

I've inherited the blink of an eye
I would like to put to use
(assuming of course my knots untie
and their meanings grow less obtuse),

but what should be done with this fleeting space
where flowers bloom and fall
and so often get trampled beneath my feet -
should I choose any course at all?

There's a canticle glinting yearnful hints
that 'I ams' could turn into 'We'res',
but when people seem happy the way things are,
is it my place to interfere?

And what kind of coinage might one bid
in exchange for true reason why;
this suitcase of worries held above
by thin limbs neither young nor spry?
Succumb to misgiving then all is lost
from a blue evanescent eye.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· May 24

I am honoured and absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for Darkwinter Lit's 4th Anniversary poetry contest! Thank you so much to the judge Hollay Ghadery and to everyone at @darkwinterlitmag.bsky.social! Best of luck to all the other shortlistees! ✨❤️ #poem #poems #poetry #poetrycommunity

Colourful fireworks as the shortlists are announced for Darkwinter Lit's 4th Anniversary poetry and short story contests.

The shortlists for Darkwinter Lit's 4th Anniversary poetry and short story contests.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· May 21

Went for another roam at the idyllic Kingley Vale and refound the same yew tree that @janes-studio.bsky.social so masterfully captured in The Breadcrumb Trail. I also got a decent shot of a brimstone butterfly, who looks as though they're using the info board as a mirror. #butterflies #KingleyVale

The same atmospheric yew tree at Kingley Vale that featured in The Breadcrumb Trail.

Jane Cornwell's illustration of the aforementioned yew tree at Kingley Vale.

A brimstone butterfly (doing their makeup?) at Kingley Vale.

A wonderfully thick-trunked yew tree at Kingley Vale.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· May 21

Here’s ‘Ten Quiet Lines’ from my new collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 FR amazon.fr/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poet #poetry #books

Ten Quiet Lines

This world is growing louder by the day
(provocateurs', co-profiteers' delight).
Four walls and firewalls now have their say;
surround myself in softness as I write

with pussycat beside me, stretching claws,
my husband, down one floor, TV turned low.
Loft radiator's labours lacking pause;
beyond this windowpane, winter's first snow.

Perhaps there played pervasive, bitter scores
ten quiet lines of poesy ago.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· May 14

Here’s ‘Wilderness is Not a Name’ from my new collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 FR amazon.fr/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry #books

Wilderness is Not a Name

An emptiness I dreaded for so long
still slithered on, has finally arrived.
The presence of its absence fills a room,
now limbers up my legs, but I don't mind.
Should language melt away for days, then weeks,
strange wonders I have sensed fall primly plain,
delinquencies once counted on and loved
tuck tails as if to never come again,
I'll know this die, provisionally cast,
won't last when wilderness is not a name.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· May 12

Here's the first half of my new, nostalgia laden poem 'Delicate Retracings', published today in @mosspuppymag.bsky.social Issue 10, Paw Paths You can read the full issue here mosspuppymag.com/issue-10-paw... and you can order a copy here: www.lulu.com/shop/moss-pu... #poem #poems #poetry #books

Delicate Retracings

Do you know
how to get back
to the lands
in which we dwelt,
where the childhood wonders
never went away?

Such delicate retracings
of our torn and twisted paths
eluded from this place
we’ve come to be,

but I remember lots of things,
incidental at that time,
which have waxed
ever brighter
down the years

for a storm-trammelled soul,
still unsubjugated mind,
unimpressed
by all darkness
came to vend.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· May 7

Here’s ‘Harmful Spectre, Darling Ghost’ from my new collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Previously published by @feversof.bsky.social Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry #books

Harmful Spectre, Darling Ghost

Dim the lights. Draw the curtains. Kill the phone.
'Gone to ground' chief presumption, boy alone.
Feed the cats, leave the kittens occupied;
dressed in black, open window, sneak outside.

Find the trees that enshrine the golden lake,
disappear, checkpoints chomping at your wake,
lurk in space no one's heard of, none pursue;
force of will, murmuration, something new.

Laying low, swig the shadows, introspect,
recreate, count your blessings, resurrect,
sense the wind's resolution, sibylline.
Greeting May, snuffle daylight, now it's time.
Let the man you have longed for manifest,
bid this last duplication fond goodbye.

Circling back to the city (preordained),
like these leaves, late September, aspect changed.
Resuppress harmful spectre, darling ghost;
mirth long gone, more than distant, once held close.

Slink past home, salve to any open wound,
feline friends spoiled and pampered (like presumed).
East-south-east, below bypass, under rail,
sleeping bags, blurred graffiti, urine stale,

aging pier, empty fountain, infant school,
quiet lane, thornstrewn chalet, crepuscule,
rusted key, dust-filled hallway, thirteen steps,
slip within bedroom doorway, sheets unkept.
Au revoir, flight of fancy, kiss your ghoul.
Better drawn. Not to fester. Nothing left.

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Apr 30

Whose bedroom is this?? #cats #catsofbluesky

Lawrence Moore@lawrencemoore· Apr 30

Here’s ‘Wendy and Crew’ from my new collection This Joyful Interlude, out now ✨ Book links (or pm me for a signed copy) UK amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 DE amazon.de/dp/1068432330 FR amazon.fr/dp/1068432330 #poem #poems #poetry #poetrylovers