Dom Conlon, poet & author

Author: Dom

  • One Knot, Two Knot—a nursery rhyme

    from the Wicked Children’s Book of Nursery Rhymes One knot two knot three knot do not knot the cord at night. Four knot five knot six knot why not knot the cord at night? Seven knot eight nine knot slip knot the hangman’s noose is tight. — Illustration from The British Library.

  • The Hill Witch—a nursery rhyme

    from the Wicked Children’s Book of Nursery Rhymes I grew from the touch of weeds and wood I grew from the taste of ripe red blood I grew from the sound of boots in mud I grew and I grew from where you stood You fell and they left and went away You fell and…

  • The Terrible Terribell

    For each slow bong of the Terribell Be sure to know that someone fell. They walked until they flopped and dropped Until their heart just upped and stopped. If only we had let them stay, Not ushered them upon their way. Perhaps that might have saved us all From hearing its most awful call. —

  • Weather Limerick

    This weather limerick came about because one of my many wonderful nieces is studying to be a teacher. It will be her (and others just as dedicated) who may well be among the first people to inspire children. Their example will set a benchmark, a candle even, which will remain with the child for the…

  • The Crumpet

    To eat a crumpet is to explore the moon. That cratered disc, that pale joy, shines bright beneath this hungry telescope. In the darkness of morning it beckons the mouth to eclipse its surface, to land, to probe for its buttery secrets. — Illustration courtesy and copyright Jools Wilson.

  • I Don’t Bite (much)

    Hey! Reader! How are you? Here’s something you might want to know about this story: the name of our vampire hero is Keskiyö. It means ‘midnight’ in Finnish. I pronounce it as ‘kesk’ (as in desk) E-oh. Keskiyö the vampire had everything she could possibly want. She lived in a fine old house with secret…

  • The Bind Witch—a nursery rhyme

    from the Wicked Children’s Book of Nursery Rhymes She is hiding from the stars in the forest of your dreams. She holds the shadows on her face and nothing’s what it seems. The Bind Witch is waiting. She gathers all the wind up in the tangle of her hair. She bends across the pathways to…

  • Happy New You—a New Year poem

    The gap in the curtains– Open your eyes. The stretch in a bed– Open your body. The waft of toast– Open your nose. The clatter of a spoon– Open your ears. The cream on the milk– Open your mouth. Open your mind. Open your heart. Open yourself to a new sight, a new feeling, a…

  • A Year of Trying

    Trying to get things together in terms of my writing is a tough old cookie to crack. I wrote an article about my ‘Year of Trying’ which outlines the ways and obstacles I’m facing. Here’s a snippet but follow the link to read the entire thing: “‘I am a writer’ is a difficult phrase. For…

  • Orry and Dice—a Christmas Story

    a story from The Edge of Christmas “What if Father Christmas killed your sister?” rry stopped seeing magic the night Santa killed his little sister. For seven years, three hundred and sixty-four days, twenty-three hours and seventeen minutes he had seen magic everywhere. He saw it in the forest at the bottom of the garden.…