In response to The Daily Post's writing prompt: "Trick Questions." Carlo Revelli (2015) Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, translated by Simon Carnell and Erica Segree. If Isaac Newton is the father of physics, Albert Einstein is the mother, but he didn’t love all his children equally. Remember before Einstein, physics was spread out like a dirty nappy between subjects as diverse as Mathematics, Philosophy and the industry leader, Chemistry, in...

First Lesson. The Most Beautiful of Theories. I just nipped out at lunchtime to get a bigger brain, but they were all out, the only thing left –on special offer- was a Simon Cowell brain. I said to the lassie behind the counter, ‘Do I look that fuckin’ stupid?’ ‘Or a two-for-one, David Cameron and… a black hole,’ she offered. I didn’t hang about, I’ve got better things to do with my time. Of course I don’t need a bigger brain. After all, quite...

I woke up today feeling so positive and satisfied. Words and feelings were bubbling up in me, and I basked in passion. I acknowledged me. I challenged myself everyday this week except Tuesday...Ink Master was on. I lounged in just pure joy. No demands, I aint cookin, I aint cleaning, im determined to enjoy simplicity this day. I dont know when another one like it will come again. I found the escape I was looking for. I found the works of art...

Two fantastic pieces today. First up is Philip Sidney's haunting trip to the past via Google Maps Street-view, which was written for our wonderful Poetry Monthly brief. If you haven't tried this feature yet, do have a go - it's producing some astounding work. Our Story of the Week is Wolfboy by well-wisher. Like all good children's stories, it works on so many levels and isn't just for children. It's the best thing I've read for quite a while...

Still a couple of slots left so if you'd like to read please let me know ASAP! Following on from the roaring success in Nottingham (tha nks, VeraClark) the next ABCtales R eading E vent has been organised. Here are the details: Date: Wednesday 11th November, 2015 Venue: The Wheatsheaf Address: 25, Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 1JB Time: 18:30 for a 19:00 start Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road Link to the venue: The Wheatsheaf, 25...

Do I complain too much? I think I complain too much, even though its all in my head. I read these stories and Im like, "What the hell?", cause I can not figure out what some of these people writing about! I re-read, read out loud, read comments, and feel just blond dumb. I need a book club of opinions trying to understand what is being said. I am a problem-solver, up front, straight forward. I wanted to read a couple of stories, relax for the...

Dear John. Help. How do I send/contact you re the proposed ABC magazine? Brian

There has been marvelous poetry and prose submitted by so many people this week and what a pleasure it has been once again to have the privilege to read them. Thank you everyone. This week's winner of the the story of the week award goes to celticman for his gritty and wickedly funny throwpack piece: 10 Near Death Experiences (but there's only 5 NDEs because I'm still alive). The poem of the week award goes to Jane Hyphen for her gorgeous poem:...

Helen Ivory and George Szirtes (eds) (2012) In Their Own Words Contemporary Poets on Their Poetry. It’s poetry week on BBC 4. Last night I watched a drama that uses Simon Armitage’s poetry to dramatize the life and death of Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her lanky boyfriend were attacked in a park by a group of feral boys. Their attackers shoe prints and the pattern of their laces were left embedded in Sophie’s head. Black roses were the...

Mischievous wind…playing in leaves… tapping branches on windows… howling down alleys…rattling doors…empty streets…chill air…foreboding lurks round every corner…dark clouds...moonless night...glowing eyes in Orange faces…shadow witches peek from doorways…sinister forms appear in bushes…cries of fright and squeals of delight for October’s All Hallows Eve is nearly here… Halloween...A truly abandoning holiday… A day to be whatever you can dream and...