Occupational Poetry

occupational poetry
by Michael McGill

Enjoy this series of five short poems by Michael McGill that illuminate our everyday occupations. ‘Occupational Poetry’ will run first on Twitter (@AnElephantNever), and we will add each poem here as it runs.

Occupational Poetry's chocolatier
The chocolatier.

Great chocolate should taste like climbing warm rocks, naked. Or returning home; a woollen throw on a wooden chair.

Occupational poetry' the tobacconist
The tobacconist.

I stutter face to face but on the phone, I flourish. Clients prefer me here: my theatre of sound. In the wings, I exhale silent nicotine…

Occupational poetry's the reporter
The reporter.

I dreamt, in decades eclipsed, of bringing life to words; of bringing fire to the frozen. Today, I transcribe the dead prose of politicians.

occupational poetry beautician
The beautician.

At the station today, a colleague kissed me on the cheek. It really took me by surprise! As my train departed, I touched my face and smiled.


Michael McGill is a UK-based writer from Edinburgh, Scotland who has recently had work published in Funhouse Magazine, Far Off Places, New Walk and The Haiku Quarterly.  Follow him on Twitter @MMcGill09 and or Instagram handle at michael7209. He has also recently had a short piece included in the Lies, Dreaming podcast.

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