Witness

Witness

Peter Lilly

and there is the soot stain
on the white paint of the chimney,
physical memories of smoke and laughter,
the countless summer birthdays,
the visiting voyagers.

The night before our wedding,
when the nations gathered
with their cultural ticks
of politeness and expression,
the way tuning instruments
mumble a polyphonic invocation
of symphony.

The soot stain above the rectangular outlet
Where flames lick the white paint
and the salmon-peach roofing tile,
while languages and laughter
call and respond in a joyful living prayer,
perfumed tongues of flame
that rise and touch heaven
with the paradise
of what we were made for.

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Peter Lilly
Poet & Educator

Peter Lilly is a Best of the Net nominated poet who grew up in Gloucestershire, England. After studying theology and working with the homeless in London, he moved to the South of France in 2014. He lives in a rural village with his wife and son, where he concentrates on writing, community development and English teaching. He is the author of the collections ‘A Handful of Prayers’ (Wipf & Stock, 2024) and 'An Array of Vapour’ (TSL Publications, 2023). 

Photography by Matej Novosad