Her head bobbed just beneath the surface of the waterhair spread out like a painting by John Everett Millaisandrogynous, amorphous:wide eyessevere jawbonesharp aquiline nose. She was afraid to break the surface;and to emergefrom the silence of her amniotic sac:‘Stay safe inside,'her inner critic counselled: 'Do not dream to give the world the words it does not lack.'... Continue Reading →
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day: Join Me! #ChooseToChallenge
Tomorrow, 8th of March is International Women's Day. The purpose of this day, as stated on the IWD website, is the following: International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed... Continue Reading →
This gift of flowers #haibun
The other day, we went for a walk with the kids in the evening. I pointed out the first daffodils to my youngest son. 'This means that spring is here,' I told him. 'Oh, mammy!' he said, 'I got some flowers for you!' In his pocket, a handful of squashed daisies. He'd picked them at... Continue Reading →
Twitter Poetry Week 9
9 weeks in and finally I forgot to post a poem! This is why there is no day 57. I think my mind just needed a break. Luckily, I am accompanied by many talented poets, and I am gathering together a collection of poems which will make a fine anthology by the end of the... Continue Reading →
I cut a #fringe #poem
I cut a fringe to hide my frown linesI hate my frown lines but I love myself- no -I hate myself but love my frown-lines- no -I love my frown-lines and myself butI don't like how they look in the mirror- no -I cut a fringe because I cannot afford botox- no - I don't... Continue Reading →
Spillwords Author of the Month Jan/Feb 2021
I am thrilled to have been voted Author of the Month at Spillwords Press for Jan/Feb 2021! I wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who voted for me: this means so much and I am so grateful for your time, kind words and support. Another heartfelt thank you to Dagmara and the... Continue Reading →
My childhood home #haibun #prose
I don't remember much about the first house that I lived in. I remember my mum and dad dancing to records after drinking too much wine. Perhaps they had an argument too, or else why would I remember the wine? But I don't remember the argument, I just remember them dancing to records. I remember... Continue Reading →
Guest Post: Don Matthews Trilogy #20
Celebrating 20 weeks of guest posts at EIF this week, Don and the FCS team bring you another thought-provoking trilogy! Meanwhile, his feline friend Priscilla is tasked with keeping the birds from Don's coffee, with limited success... Miracle Man You don't accept a warming EarthWhich scientists say is soYet happily accept a miracle man2000 years... Continue Reading →
‘Howst’ th’ gan on?’ A Cumbrian dialect poem
A while back, I promised Hobbo A.K.A. 'The Yorkshire Laureate' that I would include some Cumbrian dialect poetry on this blog. First have a listen to the following recording. Esther Dixon-Graham recites a Cumbrian Poem Cumbrian version (my transcription) If ivver twa farmers at Caer'l should meetYe'd hear what they say, t'uther side o' the... Continue Reading →
Twitter Poetry Week 8
Another week, another seven micro-poems for Twitter! Unfortunately, PMDD hit me really hard this month, and sapped me of much of my poetic inspiration. You will notice a few poems about PMDD here. In including them, I hope to be able to reach other sufferers and raise awareness and understanding of the condition. I ended... Continue Reading →