Category: Uncategorized
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King Canute
Joey’s Canadian canoe glides between the reeds. The coastline is bejewelled with streams and islets. This marsh belongs to the birds: stilts, avocets, and flamingos. Up ahead, through the river mouth, Tavira’s white cubic houses cling to the hill beneath the ancient castle. On the horizon, gun-metal clouds mass, the sea roars. Salt air stings…
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Flight
17th June 1871 Dearest Jenny, I write to you, my beloved sister, as I know you will be concerned for my well-being. Believe me, Sister, I am well. Oh, I am stronger than I have been for the last four years. Why, yesterday saw me walk to the ferry boat – with Ronaldo’s helping…
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Flight
17th June 1871 Dearest Jenny, I write to you, my beloved sister, as I know you will be concerned for my well-being. Believe me, Sister, I am well. Oh, I am stronger than I have been for the last four years. Why, yesterday saw me walk to the ferry boat – with Ronaldo’s helping…
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The Choice
Father’s dark head almost touches the fox colour of the estate manager’s head, the ledger full of spider writing in front of them. Perhaps I’ll escape without his notice. His voice booms. “One hundred sheep lost to wolves. Fine the shepherds. They’ll soon learn not to waste my money.” In the hallway, the bust of…
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Diana
Today Diana pick up. 19.05 Diana what are you playing at? 19.06 Singing for your dinner will make sure you starve. Get real. Get your deluded self back here and get your life on track. 19.07 Diana stop being so bloody selfish. We didn’t knacker ourselves for you to throw it all…
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The Trail
Remu’s father sits in the carved chair in the centre of the round house. He looms above the Elders whose silver heads nod as he speaks. Father’s wolf guardian, Loba, sits beside the chair. Her yellow eyes scan the room. A footstep outside the hut and she prowls over to the open door, sniffs the…
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The New Banksy in Toledo
I sit rigid beside Ms Coleridge who sighs as the brakes crunch and her ancient Panda stops outside Dad’s house. I guess the teacher’s no more than seven years older than me. But I’ve gone and done it this time. Her mouth kind of dips down at the side, as if she’s disappointed rather than…
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Borderlands
Reverend Mother’s hand is dry as paper as it grips mine. The train belches smoke into the crisp air. “Are you sure about this, Peggy?” My throat is tight. I have reason to be so grateful to her. “I just can’t let Noah go alone.” Reverend Mother’s habit sweeps the platform as she turns to…
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Poems from the Campervan Wandering Minstrel
Good Friday 2023 in Lelin-LaPujolle Vines crucified on wires, yet new leaves uncurlfresh to the world – a gust of wind could shiver them to the ground, a sudden frost could shrivelthe new life in them. But for now the sun strokes them until they stretch. Awake, hopeful,they reach towards the coming day. The news…
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The Otter
The classroom sweated that wet afternoon, the children’s coats steaming on the pegs. Rain swelled into fat teardrops and raced down the window pane. When the clouds parted, the sun burst through and lit up my otter on her plinth. “Look, Miss,” Joey cried. “Your otter’s doing a jig.” Shane drew circles in…
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