creative writing

Rallentando (making peace with mud)

May 4, 2024 By Ellen

In order to preserve footgear of urban sophisticate, I slither free, laces still tied. Evening greens fizz: I have to go to the grass… under branches. My toes burrow in blood-warm ooze. Ghosts of sunshine. Wriggle feet down through surface soft to the stone cold earth. I lean in bark furrows. ‘Hello dear. What took […]

Warning – 100 words

January 11, 2024 By Ellen

Warning There in the mud, the first snowdrop of the season. And, yes, glove in teeth, I make the dog sit so I can photograph it. Look at this. #springiscoming. Only it isn’t true. I have learned that this little dancer with her blue-green skirt is only here to fool me, for sport. Come on, […]

Blanket – 100 words

January 7, 2024 By Ellen

Blanket Under the cover of this fog, we have been transported – the house, the dogs and I – to a place of misfortune. Grey malevolence has poured in and removed the other people and their colourful optimism. We are marooned. There are no shops or schools or jolly pubs. Where the road used to […]

Missed – 100 words

January 5, 2024 By Ellen

Missed Moving boxes: finding cards. 20, no, 30 birthdays gone. Elastic bands stiff and failing. Some from family, the constant bones of a life – others just names, colleagues, playmates who blew through like gusts. I add up the ones you sent: Love, from D. With love, from D. Love, D. D x. Wish you […]

Let me tell you this – 100 words

January 4, 2024 By Ellen

Let me tell you this There were times when I knew what to say, which shirt to wear, how to be. Just knew. Answers bloomed like daffs in spring. People saw a woman proficient, in charge – and I was, back then. But I had forgotten that all of these things are like tide – […]