I lift one sore foot from the stony road My boot is hot and heavy I put it down and lift the other I must keep in time with the drum beat. The track wends through fields Ripening grain waving in the breeze And orchards laden with black Bucks cherries May the war pause long … Read more
The organiser of the re-opening of a local museum asked me for a cheerful piece on the theme of celebration. My brain locked on to the idea of a party bringing family and community together, but where could I get inspiration for the detail? How about the earliest story in my memory involving a party? … Read more
In 2024, the Scottish Arts Trust started a category in their Flash Fiction awards called “True Flash” – for memoir or creative non-fiction. It was very appealing to try this. This is partly sharing personal experience, but also describing a common experience for the older female motorist. : It Comes to Us All “Excuse me. … Read more
The theme “The Longest Night” immediately suggested midwinter to me, and we now know that Stonehenge was aligned for midwinter, presumably to celebrate the rebirth of the earth after the longest night of the year. What might those ceremonies have been like? Archaeologists are finding more and more interesting evidence. We still have to join … Read more
The theme “Special Meal” did not initially appeal to me, as most of my meals are consumed on my feet, on the go and on my own. So, a flight of complete fantasy was required…at last – I was trying to write a happy ending! : SPECIAL MEAL He had been patient and she had … Read more
Some years ago, I nurtured a coastal garden, trying to find hardy plants that would attract bees. My greatest successes were rampant “Hotlips” salvias and a vigorous ivy. The hum of the bees in late autumn as they arrived in great numbers to drink from the ivy flowers was just lovely. Traditional rhyming poetry is … Read more
These days, we worry about exploitation when it comes to training animals to perform tricks for our entertainment, and we’re not that keen on taxidermy, either. Things were very different in the past. By the 19th century in the UK, some animal charities had been established, but for the average mutt on the street, life … Read more
I am fortunate to live near woods and walking under new leaves in Spring is magical. Each one of them is precious. This poem is dedicated to a horse chestnut leaf. There is something very bold about how they come into the world. Most of the mighty horse chestnuts I see these days seem to … Read more
It sometimes seems to take a lot of time to find inspiration for a random theme, but in this case, the theme (Skeleton in the Cupboard) provoked many ideas. I settled on this one, trying my hand at a bit of black humour in the process. SKELETON IN THE CUPBOARD “I think there were some … Read more
Bright icons of spring Loud, proud, colour on tall stems Inspire, comfort, cheer. : : : Photo: Tulips at Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse, Netherlands, May 2025
