Rennie Parker was born in Leeds and currently lives in Stamford, Lincolonshire. She stidied Englisch and History of Art at Oxford Brookes, moving on to medieval literature for her M.A. Then she studied for a PhD in early 20th century poetry at Brimingham University. Since then she has published poetry and critisism. Secret Villages appeared in 2001 and was featured in the Forward Awards anthology, 2002. Her second full collection, Ladders Appear at Fences, is currently with publishers. Since 1987, individual poems have appeared in: The Rialto, staple, Other Poetry, PN Review, Critical Survey, Dream Catcher, The North, Smith Knoll, and Leviathan. A wider selection has appeared in Reactions 3 and Reactions 4 (ed. Esther Morgan, Pen&Inc., 2003 and 2004). She was included in Miracle&Clockwork (ed. James Roderick Burns, Other Poetry Editions, 2005)

Quelle: poetry p f

Ladders Appear at Fences

brick sheds diminish, brambles lift over walls
gardens give onto wasteland, feet into miles

espalier trees link arms around the yard—
there is always stuff to be thrown out, junked, denied

removals heap into skips, the engines growl
cucumbers fatten in cold-frames, greenhouses boil

gutter-pipes reach up at corners, bins wait in line
washing flies sidewards away from the wind

sorrel burns the embankment, rust on the rail
the mainline goes elsewhere, channelled to change

and footballs barge into bushes, newspapers fall
breadcrumbs are scattered on patios, curtains are drawn

children are playing at houses, adults too late
tenants touch up their paintwork, cars on display

lorries heave onto motorways, distances lead
flowerheads open their hands, and windows swing free

aerials jostle for signals, the programmes come
and every departure engenders a home

carrots emerge from allotments, plugs pull on drains
ladders appear at fences, people climb.

Rennie Parker
in anthology Reactions 4, 2003
(ed. Esther Morgan), Pen & Inc
ISBN 1 902913 18 3