Rental Motes swirled in windows like stars in The Starry Night. Water stains framed mirrors in bursts of gray-gold. The landlord’s lips were thin, her lipstick coral. She braved the tropical storm to unlock closets: her Waterford crystal. Branches needed pruning but all I seemed to do was dream of Heathcliff. I never scrubbed or … Read more
It happens. After four years of marriage, I’m madly in love…just not with my husband. I feel like Diane Lane in Unfaithful, guilt-ridden, and giddy as I face my new reality. I am a terrible wife…but…I was becoming a fantastic girlfriend. You may deem me a horror, but the truth is never a fairytale. Only … Read more
The Gallego, Dos Lunas, sat on the low wall of the Mirador San Nicolas hurling abuse at the tourists that passed him by. ‘Idiotas!!’ He shouted with his hand waving about in the air, until his mind soothed and he returned to the comfort of his can of Vol Damm (at 8% it was the … Read more
From hospital suite One no matter how the oak ward is word-less the light buzz of a garden through terminal windows without logos _ rationalise brother at rest _ through doors _ down corridors _ the sheen of _ sterile floors feet walking away Two angel _ blue light so _ far angel … Read more
It was just after opening time when Murphy walked into the bar. He wasn’t welcome at any time of the day really. The Fat Landlord’s lazy wife, a picture of early morning sourness probably let the nuisance in, but who cared? It certainly wasn’t me. She was a miserable, cold unfriendly woman affectionately known as … Read more
If I Could Only I dream of roses blooming in the sky, of boys with guns, of body parts slung over broken toys in some unholy rite. And through mind-searing noise, I hear the wail of mothers keening for their young. I dream of hell. But when dawn breaks, I wake to find that, silently, … Read more
Neil went to tea break for the gossip, to find out what was going on, although he screened out the small talk about football and politics. The canteen overlooked the carpark with the smoking shed at the other end – another good source of information. It was raining the day he heard a replacement boss … Read more
The afternoon of Christmas Eve, just as it’s beginning to get dark, Mum opens the black oak sideboard in the hall. We crowd around, the little ones shoving and pushing. Frantic to see the treasures inside. The whole house already smells of Christmas – the ham simmered overnight in its blanket of floury paste, now … Read more
Krismastime It’s Krismastime Get confetti Slug wile Midnight Fly heights Seeing worlds beam by beam Don’t be a revolutionary, Be a revolution. Rise of the mind Ascension time Compassion is the fashion Send the bird With the scrolls in his talon Falcons mean business Business means fun How to game the game and crush a … Read more
“Have you ever been alone in an old theatre at night? There are no places on earth more haunted than theatres. An old theatre houses the ghosts of all things, at least, all things human. Cemeteries are where bodies go, not lives. Not like,’ he paused and looked up at the ceiling, ‘the theatre. We … Read more