On the Death of My Father

By Philip McCumskey

Your icy stare penetrates
The dark grey walls
Like a baby on its side
You left us
Needing to say more
A searing pain
A breathless cry
For someone’s hand to hold
No, not for you
Oh, most gentle soul
For in that vast and suffocating darkness
The golden light of God’s porch
Embraced you
With everlasting serenity.

Phil studied fine arts at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, but worked as a writer, actor and theatre director for many years before establishing his own video production company in Johannesburg. ‘Now that I'm older, I've re-discovered art, particularly abstract art. Brushes, palette knives, spatulas, paint, canvas, paper – it’s as if I’ve been reunited with old friends.'

Phil's work has been exhibited at the Fronteer Gallery in Sheffield and his painting Red Radiance was part of The Artist Lounge’s 50 Shades of Red Exhibition. His artwork titled, Connected, was long listed for the D31 Gallery prize. He lives in the seaside town of Rustington in West Sussex, England.

Website: Philip McCumskey
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