Pilgrims Crossing oceans, walking miles they come to stand together and receive – in exaltation – His attention, bestowed briefly, a blessing on every soul, heirloom memories, I remember when… in this ancient ceremonial place where 3000 years of humanity has gathered with so many stories: one purpose, and kindness transcends language shared water; […]
Just Fine – 100 words
Chin Chin – 100 words
Chin Chin Look at my dark eyes see what’s reflected there. This night. You’ll know the consequences, Septem annis, bad luck. I search for your intention, the way of your heart. Is our friendship baptised with wine or murderous ambition? Can you see shards of candlelight ricochet from my jewellery? I deflect precious ingenuity, […]
Postcard from Rome – 100 words
Postcard from Rome ice cream in brioche selfie stickers on famous steps cobbles ‘Small park with ruins’ pistachio Tiber gurgles thickly trees like parasols Aperol spritz, the colour of Irn-bru ‘no, non abbiamo bisogno un ombrello’ Julius Caesar was not an emperor ecooters – tooters touristic phalanx following the flag Eternal City deep-fried artichoke […]
Carry on – 100 words
Carry on The ogres you fought and mountain you defeated cast shadows where you tread. Dark shadows, inky with menace, phantoms lurk and all you can see are glinting fangs. You stumble in the gloom fearful, consider sitting on a rock and watching while life skitters onwards See, beyond the shadows where the […]
One in four – 100 words
Trigger warning – pregnancy loss One in four You never forget the first drop of blood, a sickening stillness – the knowing the not knowing You never forget what happened next, recalibrating a future – the telling the not telling You never forget the inadequacy of ‘I’m sorry’, the hurt of turned away […]
June 2008 – 20 weeks – 100 words
Trigger warning: pregnancy loss June 2008 – 20 weeks There was sunshine on the day you left spring summersaulting to summer and optimism, but you’d gone and I didn’t know I carried imaginings future selves, with ice cream, on beaches… my motherhood – calmer, stronger, wiser, Not a woman who didn’t know […]
One day in May – 100 words
One day in May The path you walk is impossible, no longer a path, really blocked by unfurling ferns and a jungle of nettles. Brave bluebells bounce but you can’t get near enough for that Instagrammable blue blur – the brambles are a thicket and salady fresh new nettles sprawl upwards. All the weeks […]