For Liz Stanley - who was right (sort of). ‘Remember to write whilst working down there.’ You’re wilting already under her Basilisk stare, ‘Bang out an article whilst you sit on the plane, Bang out more articles you’re halfway to fame’. For five years you lectured, marked essays and read, But those infamous … Continue reading On (not) Writing
Tag: poetry
View from the Office
Grey gulls sky surfing, Trembling daffodils cower in the lashing sleet.
International Women’s Day Haiku
One day for women To give cards and gifts that say Hooray for this day!
Gleneagles to Glasgow
Big skies of Scotland, trailing wood smoke, Fences, fields and tangled copses of wind-bent trees with grazing clumps of sheep near reedy pond water. Bleak winter beauty viewed from the train, Cold hands fumble for the correct change. Weirs of white water tumble past a Cathedral spire. Dogs and people stroll, Passengers wait and … Continue reading Gleneagles to Glasgow
Days of the Week
Children's Nursery Rhymes Revisited On Friday you took to the streets with your friends: ‘There’s no second planet – make climate change end!’ On Saturday you flew to Barbados and read that the insect population was critical – might soon be dead. On Sunday your family slaughtered a goat to celebrate your Homecoming – … Continue reading Days of the Week
Recovery Reading
I’m sorry I’m going to miss your lecture next week, I found out I’m pregnant and I’m going to seek a quick termination. My friend says it’s quite sore … She chews on her bottom lip and gazes at the floor. Anyway, she carries on, I wanted you to know that my absence isn’t because … Continue reading Recovery Reading
A Moment of Swans
Reflections on Writing and Friendship Your plan for today was to write hard and fast, Control, seize and capture the words that would last the test of all time, beyond human recall, Instead you are daydreaming and your fingers have stalled. ‘Remember this moment!’ she loudly declared, ‘What moment?’ You ask her whilst … Continue reading A Moment of Swans
