This forest, a confidant

By Marcelle Newbold

It heard my whisper, the trace of lips,
a soft ask - a spell - appetite ready.
It felt the ridges of my spine sigh
open the morning, bark rough against skin.

It gave the gift of shadows, leaf flit and crown
to slow explore the source of beginnings.
It held me, in close embrace, flowed round
impulse, teased a memory, a devotion.

It demanded an unravelling, bare
and beautiful and new - essential.
It saw me, heavy scented, on my knees,
sink my fingers into the plump wet moss.

No stillness for me now: this desk an altar,
those branches - that light - your voice - permeates.



Inspiration behind the poem:

The poem focuses on themes within Byron’s poetry of confession, rebellion, nature and the pursuit of freedom. The last couplet references his enduring love of correspondence.


Marcelle's writing explores place and inheritance. Bridport Prize shortlisted, and Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominated, her poems have been published in online and print magazines including Propel, Ink Sweat & Tears, iamb, and Fly on the Wall Press. Her writing has featured in recent print anthologies by Black Bough Poetry, Maytree Press, Wild Pressed Books, Icefloe Press, and Indigo Dreams. She enjoys guest editing magazines and anthologies, and was managing editor of Nightingale & Sparrow literary press from 2021-2024. Marcelle lives in Cardiff, Wales where she trained as an architect. @marcellenewbold.