Category: Visual Verse
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7 November: Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation (reading time: 1 minute) A letter arrived.Every house on the street had one.Through the letter slot, it fellto the floor. Waiting for us. So we all gathered over a tablelayed with tea cups and cakes,and we brought our letterswith us to compare. Some thought they were written ina language of blood and…
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26 August: Visual Verse Anthology
I am delighted and honoured to be published this month in Visual Verse’s August anthology. At the beginning of each month, this publication offers an image for writers to respond to … write and submit. They publish 100 pieces each month. Submission guidelines are on their site. Pop over to Visual Verse, and subscribe to…
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2 August: VV Anthology
Ten Minutes on the Central Line (445 words, 2min:53sec read) I’m always amused when someone offers me their seat. On a good day, it’s easy to forget that I’m old. Why would I do that, I said to my doctor when he asked, Don’t you ever look in the mirror? I decline the offer of…
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3 June: Against a Wall
Against a Wall Two women lean their backsinto the arch of a glass sky,spirits laid bare and free,a painting on a wall. Their bodies are bloomingsoft as silk sun, and they’refilled with irony and life,adorning imperfections. For them, ordinary is weak,and fork-clean. Friendsin-sync, neuro ad neuro.Like a final quit-cigarette. Women always lean backon a voice…
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4 May: The Allotment
Allotment If I wrote a book, I’d call it Allotment, andthere’d be a young woman who tendedher compost bin as if nothing else mattered.She’d wear a green frayed edge jumper. And there’d be a young man who dreamedof marrying her. They’d have lots of children,grow their own veggies, always organic,and keep hens that would eat…
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On Visual Verse
I’m delighted that The Woman Wore Red is published by Visual Verse this month. If you have spare minute, pop on over for a read. Every month, Visual Verse offers a new image for ekphrastic inspiration, one hour to write 50-500 words (prose or poetry). The editorial staff select 100 of their favourites from the submissions. It’s fun. It’s…
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for Visual Verse April ’22
The Woman Wore Red I dreamt of a woman in red,and when she spoke,I heard her heart in my ears.I heard her blood rushingheavy rhythms of storms,and she stood therein all weather, as if victorious. She, with no shadow,no equal,and no angel’s trumpet,followed me likethe wind’s direction. She, a rustingiron sign post, seeking direction. Arms…
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for Visual Verse Anthology March
for visual verse anthology: March The Green Room The Green Room It’s a kind of winter madness, so I thinkof it this way. It’s my own green roomwith its old brick wall that crackedduring one of those drought years, where the grass is noisy and thick withthin-legged, spotted and winged insects,and where the ferns unfurl…
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2.02.22: VV February 22
A Hundred Butterflies She’s soothed in the colourof old gas light, andsways to a piano’s moan. The warm, dense airhas put her in a weary sort ofsatisfied mood. The moon hanging pregnantly full,and the stars up therehum like bees at the jasmine and honeysuckle.It’s a thick scent thatmakes her head swim, makes her feel light…
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VV January 2022
The Abduction of a Forsythia-Yellow Duck Saturday night. Bath time. I am deep inrising puffs of steam, between warm breathof fog, lavender salts, and 11 o’clock. My legs, bitten by hot water, seembuoyant and drowning at the same time,and my toes are painted scarlet Sirens. Such wee beauties, my alluring tragedies.Sing, chorus of razor-sharp tonguesfrom…
It's Still Life 