Each week we will publish a short poem, written by some of our Manx Bards and other local poets.

These poems are short, fun or thoughtful little pieces, written to last around 20 seconds and can be recited during the time it takes to wash your hands.

We will publish more of readers’ poems over the next few weeks, along with a selection of poems written by some of the five living Manx Bards.

In fact, this week’s poem is from the pen of the latest Manx Bard, Zoe Cannell, entitled ‘Global Pain’.

Zoe also writes a longer poem each month for the pages of Island Life.

We will print one short poem a week.

Why not try writing your own 20-second poem? Email them to [email protected]

Global Pain

I’m no overt expert

commentator

freelancer chancer

life debater

no story-seller fortune-teller

teacher preacher rockefeller

unqualified in issues tried

can’t talk that walk

or eye the spied

no broadcaster or forecaster

for this

unfurling gut-curling

world disaster