The elegant pot, the one on the mantel, need not have been involved in the plot at all – same for the slate I mentioned earlier that I fished from the Lym one summer because it caught my eye as unusual, or rather as useful in the way that small edges of slate with … Continue reading Crellestrasse 10827.
the thinner spectre of the two, pale and serene and half in shadow, from the creases of the curtain, floats a plaintive lullaby - her song for sleepless children. "this plastic fort for a painted cowboy, this tepee for a brave. this mountain range of books to read 'The Kid took the reins and … Continue reading her song for sleepless children
NB and I have traded letters and postcards since 2005. I always look forward to his correspondence and keep them, unopened, on the mantelpiece until I need a little pick-me-up. Last week I began a difficult reply to his latest, but this morning I finished it and folded the 5 sheets and the ephemera, found … Continue reading Palm Sunday correspondence (excerpt)
Haltwhistle. OS grid ref: NY 7083 6412 Haltwhistle is a small town and parish in northwest Northumberland. It lies 10 miles east of Brampton and has a population of 3,800. Early forms of the name are Hautwesel (1240), Hautwysel (1254), Hawtewysill (1279), Hautwysell (1381), Haltwesell (1610). The second part '-twistle' relates to two streams … Continue reading Highway To Health.
Am I being noisy or too quiet, dear muse? Politeness, the choice of weapon we choose. We listened to ‘the season of the witch.' This is our secret and how I wish I adored your sleight of hand ways – but... the silent rewriting and riot of this early spring evening on Whitley Bay beach … Continue reading The Byrds fell in love with Bob.
we came at last to an adobe square sun-bleached and honeyed with busy voices. barking market traders hawked their wares - halite, tin and nugget-silver mined from those blue and hazy mountains, caged birds, of many colours, uttered (though we could not speak their language). spices sillaged the noon dry air and monkeys, leashed, and feral … Continue reading a balance act
