A worm’s turns When I read a book I am free from the need to break in my boots before setting off on the trail, from finding a babysitter so I can set sail for intriguing destinations, from the mortification of my own naked form under a lover’s red-hot gaze, from my ignorance’s certain discovery […]
Petrichor – 100 words
Petrichor Not again, they groan as fat splashes polka dot dry soil quenching the plants drenching the benches and sending the fair-weather idlers back home so the landscape is mine now and I can prance through the mud in my new waterproofs and my old wellington boots to admire the world as it puts on […]
Credo – 100 words
Credo If a phrase turns up and it coils round your heart, it matters, write it down If there’s a character shouting in your head, it matters, write it down If your story is stretching the seams of your mind, it matters, write it down If you see things other people miss, it matters, write […]
How are you? – 100 words
How are you? tired and caffeinated to the point of discomfort slightly concerned by the cost-of living-crisis, but able to compartmentalise, and realise my relative good fortune simultaneously envious of people with happy relationships, and relieved to be rid of matrimonial balance sheets excited by my plans for doing something different and hoping I can […]
Going forward – 100 words
Going forward I had a meeting today It was a heads-up, a brainstorm, about collaboration – someone invited a strawman we had to take its temperature and suck it to see if we could get stakeholder buy-in, holding stakes turned out to be a white-knuckle ride, (virtually, not IRL, LOL) as the horizon scanning spotted […]
Guidance notes – 100 words
Guidance notes Too noisy: shut up Too greedy: stop asking Too rude: clean your plate Too lazy: work harder Too quick: take more care Too much into him: hold back Too impatient: wait Too emotional: suck it up Too quiet: speak out Too serious: lighten up Too stupid: give up Too fat: stop eating Too […]
A success story – 100 words
A success story First: survival celebration, for weary warriors of weaning. Second: escape without a fuss, they’re too young to know. Nursery days: nail the formula – run around, eat cake, go home – pick up at 3pm prompt. Soft play seasons: beige nuggets contrast with technicolour plastic tubes stuffed full of screaming children. Theme […]
Earth – 100 words
Earth A word like a grunt – our home Vowel grows in the throat Holding art and ears in its heart Our wet planet – they tell us it’s beautiful from out in space where you can’t see storms The rock under feet, homes, towns – solid, dependable, sedimentary Soil. Dirt. A filthy cocktail of […]