Cherrypicked stories

[This short poem was written, at request, for the Thanksgiving Service for a dear very elderly man who had had a working life as a skilful and dedicated mining engineer, though when asked of his occupation he would simply say ‘A miner’. I remembered Ewan’s writing on a colliery disaster in the 19th century, and thought it good to remember those who worked hard to improve and keep safety in industry.] Deep shafts, black gold, dark collier shifts …

Uncomplicated Jarrow doodle.

Götterdämmerung - 79 His breath has rapidly slowed. Two weeks ago I first visited. He has lain here pretty much ever since. Or sat in the chair next...

This is an apocryphal tale narrated in the voice of a small boy. The boy being my late father in law and his recollection of a day trip to the seaside that ultimately went wrong. I have embellished much, but the essence of the recollection remains true, as was the final destination of the ill-fated trip.

houses are envelopes posted through time recipients changing letters put in, taken out. From the War son, brother, father, lost mother upstairs, her...

They’ve been working on the house two doors down for 6 months now It looks spectacular Young men have been there all day music blaring machines...

I’m staring at the ceiling in a strange room with the smell of bleach and pine furniture.

Ironing Man sprayed a bit of steam on his shirt and set to on the creases thereupon. The phone rang. “Goddamn it!,” exclaimed he, then he carefully...

To Whom it May Concern, To Anyone who finds these words, It’s been six days since we’ve been able to get a signal on the radio. We used to tune into...

Angel was late getting the twins dressed when Stacey came to tell her there was somebody on the phone. Adam clenched his fists like a boxer who was...

Thanks A Bunch It was Easter holidays, I’d been in to do a bit of marking And make sure the ‘Speaking and Listening’ had been entered Sarah a nd the...

Pine cones scattered waiting motionless, delicate living things, nature's minuscule diving boards that have no springs, upturned becomes shelter for...

Angel had kept in touch with Bruno by phoning him. They skittered around where Tony was like two drunks trying to find loose change to pay for a...

Angel’s mum had come to visit, but it hadn’t ended well. Stacey asked her to leave because Karen was blitzed and shouting abuse at anybody that came...

Prefix i worry about dying young. Every pain, ache and dull throb is an alarm. It's carpal tunnel. Lou Gehrig's disease. A heart attack, right around...

I wanted to show the family featured, but image sizing means I can only post the fulcrum of the family RIP Irene Brown

You set off just before me, after you switched on the birthday lights

Performance poem.

When Angel woke it was still dark outside and, for a moment, she thought Jaz was coming to get her and she wondered where she was. It was the sounds...