Peter Lilly: Poems

I am very proud to announce that my poem 'Home' has been published In the June 2020 Issue of Beyond Words Literary Magazine .  Beyond Words is an international online journal of contemporary creative writing, photography and art. The edition is jammed full of beautiful art and photography, and deeply inspiring creative writing.  Click here to purchase access to a digital copy. To order print copies click here and scroll to the bottom of the home page. My poem 'Home' is inspired by both my experiences working with the homeless and recently moving homes. I try to explore the nuances of the meanings of the word home, which is more than a physical place (a house, flat, tent etc.) but, at the same time, is very importantly such a physical place. We can romantically say to our partner 'you're my home!' with a certain poetic truth, but it is an insufficient concept of home. We need a place in which we are home. I can't be my wife's home if we ...

Home is changing context, and that takes some time. It has to happen around you first, then seep in through your pours and unite your spine with your skin with your surroundings. Like with new language, listening, bumbling, confused, improving, trying and smoothing into rugged fluency. Home is changing context and that takes some time. Three weeks ago, my wife and I moved to Montpellier, in the South of France. It's a wonderful city but of course it takes time to adjust to new surroundings, new language, new culture. Last week I took some time to reflect, to feel that adjustment happening around me, to me and in me, and I wrote this.