Guest Poem by Dennis Tomlinson

Dennis Tomlinson lives in London and has been published in many magazines, such as Acumen, and on websites such as Ink, Sweat & Tears. His poetry pamphlets are 'Sleepless Nights' (Maverick Mustang, 2019), 'Over the Road' (Dempsey & Windle, 2021), 'Ornaments' (Paekakariki Press, 2022) and 'The Alexandra' (Maverick Mustang, 2025). He also served as co-editor of Hans Sahl in translation (Independent Publishing Network, 2023) and his publications include translations from a number of German poets. This poem is from Acumen 114.

Cheddar Gorge

I walked up the road from Anne’s hotel,
climbing onto limestone heights,
kaleidoscope inside my head.

I can’t … I can’t … it’s impossible …

I thought the cliffs an awesome sight,
below the bushes dropping steep,
suffused in eerie golden light.

I can’t … I can’t … it’s impossible …

My gaze swept over the rocky deep,
the little town, a boundless plain.
My only friends were grazing sheep.

I can’t … I can’t … it’s impossible …

I smiled at them, enjoyed the scene:
a yellow glow lay on the abyss
and a light mist of clomipramine.

I can’t … I can’t … it’s impossible …

Longing to rise above all this,
I scaled the tower of dizziness.