Let's Go
Shall we walk
together, though
the horizon bars us,
and the sun divides?
In the liquid light,
come to me,
and we will speak
of the stars we
will inhabit,
in our frenzied
meeting, when this
prison wall is
breached, forever.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
Fire
All the long years I've known,
since my birth.
All the æons, since
this universe
was framed in
a cosmic dream,
and we became
the germ of an idea,
to be fulfilled
in endless cycles
of so many lives.
All these ages, we
have loved, but not lost.
None of this prepared me
to know the intensity
of blessed passion, in this body.
But, in the countless
ages, we always knew
the fire, from which we both
were carved. So,
we must burn.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
Visions of the Lost
Lost, in the endless blue
of cloudless, boundless sky,
my heart expands,
in hope, to find, at last,
a road back home.
Lost, in gathering mist,
on a long, lonely track,
my heart searches,
in hope, to glimpse, afar,
a long lost love.
Lost, in the night’s temple,
searching the stars for signs,
my heart laments
lives long parted, that still
walk far apart.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
Moonphase
The dark moon is near.
My time,
to howl, in shadow;
to curse the day,
for its light,
and the creatures
it harbours –
those who try
to possess,
because love
is too dark,
too painful,
too honest
for their hearts
to bear.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
Flight
I sit.
My thoughts fly,
with my heart, into
the arms of
my far off home.
It is so dark, the memory
of that distant past,
hidden in time.
And yet,
it lives, in
words that touch, as close
as a kiss,
and tears, dearly
loved; they speak welcome,
so tender, as
desire’s gift,
as sorrow’s
heartfelt cry.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
Bound
I am not free, faced
with tears, and yearning sorrow,
nor hearing laughter;
when you weep, I must hold you,
and wait, in your deep silence.
Nor can I leave you
when you overflow with joy,
and forget darkness;
your light is mine, as your night,
and my desire holds me there.
This is how I love –
feeling the shadows in me
answer those in you;
bearing, in my soul, your pain,
your joy, so you aren’t alone.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
Elements
Tides – so hungry, driven,
relentless, by the Moon,
Goddess of night’s
mystery, and ancient
fires of longing – pull me,
ever, onward,
beyond horizon’s scar,
into the dark.
Let me become the storm –
the wind that rips at waves,
that drives the surge,
devouring earth, in wild
desire. Let me, also,
be as the shore,
surrendering to depths
of Ocean’s heart.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
Oscar's Ballad
Perhaps I was never meant
to show tenderness.
Never able to speak
anything less deadly
than a sword.
Even as I try,
am I doomed to repeat
ancient mistakes?
Perhaps. And, if so,
I deserve the darkness
of my self-built cell,
where, at least, the
Moon need not fear,
that, if it shine on me,
it will cast
a shadow too deep,
and I tear its light,
exhaust its beauty.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
Tempests
Unexpected storm,
from which there is no shelter,
how long will you rage?
Patience; blackest night’s fury
may see a calmer day dawn.
I’m no less the fire
from the angry sky, nor shall
my wild soul be tamed;
but, there are softer breezes,
and my storm does not last long.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
I am too destructive.
Too toxic.
My fears stalk me,
pain me.
My hurt becomes a weapon,
I become careless,
and, in the end,
I wreck every ship
that tries to take me
across the oceans
that part me
from my destination.
It always happens.
It is my curse,
my fate,
my darkness.
There, I sit,
in the end,
with broken dreams,
on a broken shore,
and watch for
the distant longing
that no longer
dares approach.
© Simon J Ashcroft, 2025
I am honoured and grateful to have received the following message concerning my book, "Remnants"
"Thank you Simon
This is a wonderful experience you are offering to readers…in my case, to have rediscovered the form of haikus and their power to encapsulate wisdom.
You serve this form very skillfully and managed to reveal the wide array of emotional potential they hold."
Many thanks to all who have shown an interest in "Remnants", my book of haiku and senryu, available on Amazon and Rakuten Kobo (DM for enquiries re: signed e-book or physical copies). My modest aim was to sell at least 2 copies, and that has been well surpassed in the month since it was published.
With thanks to the reader who messaged me with this photograph of a page from "Remnants," expressing his appreciation.
Available as e-book or paperback from Amazon, and e-book from Rakuten Kobo. DM me if interested in a "signed" e-book or signed paperback.
