Cherrypicked stories

Cherry

In Another Country

By the water that is not theirs to stand in tall birds jabber. No one staring at the back of this crowd can fathom what is so important that they all must busy themselves with it
Cherry

Maya - Chapter four

Back to the beginning. Sasha's first day at University.
Cherry

Loving Cindy

Lee and Cindy grow up poor... and alone. All they have is their love for each other - and that is more than most kids had.
Cherry

Competition Entry - Growing Up

It was generally agreed that things had not turned out well. Even Lucy’s upturned nose for once could not disagree, in spite of her goody two shoes reflexes.
Cherry

Nightmare on Third Street - Chapter Fourteen

The reflection in the mirror forced me to back up a step.
Cherry

The End of Imagination

It was the beginning and end of imagination.
Cherry

Six ways to kill yourself in art

‘Real genius means pushing the boundaries between death and art’ Inspired by: bukharinwasmyfavouritebolshevik Six ways to kill yourself in art (26th June 2008, 2.29pm, 27th June, 9.09am)
Cherry

Ex-stranged

Ex-stranged (26th June 2008, 10.30am) As I look at you, I cannot imagine doing those things we used to behind closed doors; the urge is gone to rid you of your clothes
Poem of the week

One Driver Escaped Uninjured

the clink of glasses striking a tinder heart
Cherry

WDS-Tuesday was Quite Odd

Or was it Mrs Burton’s revenge for him stepping on Sprinkles?
Story of the week

The Complete Confounded Letters, plus a new one.

Do the Gods have dreams? But then you cannot blame them.
Cherry

Impure Thoughts

He lifted one up high and I thought Oh fuck he's gonna ram that down my throat or force it up my jacksie. Jesus' bearded head will peer out of my arse.
Cherry

Field Ice

On an ocean liner Lord Radley meets a mysterious woman. Is she all she appears to be? Then again.. is he?
Cherry

Drawn Like Knives

Drawn Like Knives (25th June 2008, 11.05am) Your innocence shaded in pencil by artistry greater than mine. I suppose I am pen and ink, just a series of stark little lines: blunt.
Cherry

Nightmare on Third Street - Chapter Thirteen

I spluttered out a choking gasp as I jumped back, away from the person.
Cherry

On The Beach

I reached out Waiting for my hand To be slapped away As it had been before Even though mine was alone Despite being surrounded By silent stronger types You grabbed at me
Cherry

BUT YOU WERE LOVED

When “I love you” becomes “I loved you”, Warm feelings freeze into dismay. How can the one you want not want you, While love in your heart pounds away?
Cherry

Back the Strand

Seamus Heaney actually wrote to me to say he liked this one. "I like the movement of your poem. Nice and taut. And I like that “cloud chased Coomanaspig”"
Cherry

Semaphore

wandering down drills through redshank and nettle cabbage-whites bobbing, stray amongst the stalks, sticking the spade in and heaving the hoard-clutch, excavated

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