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Short Fiction: The Washerwoman
The men do not take the trouble to get to know me, but they are fascinated by me. They bring their easels and brushes and colours and stare at me as I work. If they want me to stop so they can catch the light from the water as I heave a sodden sheet from…
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Poem: Eat Your Heart Out
When we planned our kitchen, my husband said to me: ‘Get it how you want it – it’s the only chance there’ll be…’ I took him at his word and let my credit card run free And now I have a kitchen which teems with gadgetry… My kitchen’s the equivalent of my old man’s garden…
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Poem: This Is The Jewel
This is the jewel you held to the light To waken its soul for a wide-eyed young child; You kept me enthralled with your tales of its travels Through kingdoms fought over by warriors wild. This gem had been kept in a cave by a wise witch And countless the times it was borrowed and…
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Poem: Who Did You Say You Were?
When we met you’d do the odd impression, Which made me laugh, I will say that, it’s true; All our friends said it was super When you did your Tommy Cooper And then, your repertoire just grew and grew. You did Sir Terry Wogan and Pierce Brosnan, Antonio Banderas, Meryl Streep; In an effort to…
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Song: Hotel Can’taffordmore
On a dark dual carriageway, cool wind in my hair, Warm smell – sugar beet dust – rising up through the air. Up ahead in the distance, I saw a flickering light; I’d worked my hours to the max that day, I had to stop for the night. There she stood in reception, like she’d…
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Poem: Rosie’s Garden
Oh tell me, Rosie; Rosie, tell: What makes your garden grow so well? Each plant in its rightful place Grows and blossoms, given space. If the plants are to succeed Food and water’s all they need. Water? In the morning’s best; Watch out for disease and pest;
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Poem: Freeing My Mind
I tried to free my mind from all the things I had to do: Cook the dinner, do the washing, walk the dog and clean the loo. My list grew ever longer and I so wanted to bin it But the more I tried to free my mind, the more things came back in it.…
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Poem: The Internet Date
I didn’t expect you to turn up – Nobody’s turned up before. I’ve had people say that they would do; Not one of them’s come through that door. I didn’t expect you’d be handsome – Your photo was quite true to life. I didn’t expect you’d be single – With your looks you should have…
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Poem: On Being Offered A Lift
Thank you for the offer but I’d rather catch the bus. I know it’s less convenient but please don’t make a fuss. You want to know the reason why? Sit down, I’ll tell you true: I’d rather walk to where I’m going than get in a car with you… Because…
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Poem: Venetian Glass Clowns
They stand, Rank upon rank upon rank, A comical honour guard Awaiting my grandmother’s inspection. Off-limits to us as children Lest our exuberance Damaged their fragility: We knew who claimed first place In our grandmother’s affections. They were not fun…