Spring has whispered its spell over the barren countryside turning the brown, one green. It has not yet reached the high karst mountain summits, but in the stand of beach cladding the slopes, witness its reaching. Another week, another day, another hour, and there will be a time for such a summit. Now the wild... Continue Reading →
The Savage Mother (excerpt) – Maupassant translation #haibun
"I had an infinite love of this landscape. It is one of those corners of the world which hold a sensual charm for the eyes. One loves such places with a physical love. And we who are seduced by such landscapes hold tender memories of certain springs, certain woods, certain ponds and certain hills: seen... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #48: Cerknica, The Disappearing Lake
While Bohinj may be the largest permanent lake in Slovenia, Cerknica is the largest intermittent lake. If you've never heard of an intermittent lake, you're in good company. Neither had I until I came to Slovenia. Let's pay a visit to find out what this means... What is the size of Cerknica, and how does... Continue Reading →
My childhood sphere #poetry #earthweal
My childhood sphere was pasturelandand the pebbled riverside:broad enough for a bold imagination.It was a gorse-bush mazea weira tunneland the old Victorian train station. It was bounded by the blue hillsfar beyondwhich measured outthe limits of the known world.Back in those long-forgotten daysa long-forgotten childwondered what secrets these mountains held, untold. I travelled to those... Continue Reading →
My review of Michele Lee Sefton’s ‘Being a Woman’ collection
This collection of poetry chapbooks (totalling 40 poems over the three books) is an artistic collaboration between Michele, of My Inspired Life and her artist-illustrator daughter, Sami Lee. The books form a beautiful trilogy, evoking a shared experience of womanhood in charting the journey from self-doubt through self-acceptance to self-love. I will review each book... Continue Reading →
Fairytale resurrection: a palinode #poetry #dVerse
I. Elegy for a Fairytale There are no knights in shining armour,there is no chivalry;there are only nights of drunken ardourfollowed by confused apologies. The damsels in distress collectsocial security: there is no chivalry nor any Knights in shining armour nowI wonder if there ever were? Though once upon a time I thought I knew one whotook me... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #13: Štruklji
It's been a while since I've done one of these posts, but I thought it might fill a nice gap in my schedule this week, in the regular Wednesday foodie slot. If there ever was a food to fill a gap, then surely it was this rolled-up, filled-pancake-like snack, which is enjoyed in both savoury... Continue Reading →
Mayday Sonnet Sunday #2: May Day, A Brief History by Valdis Stakle
'Twas May Day when the workers did arisedemanding freedom with a single voice;they shook their leaders, took them by surprise;the leaders then were forced to make a choiceand so they promised freedom and rewardand won the trust of workers far and widebut then they charged with bloody pointed sword:the workers ran and scattered, where to... Continue Reading →
Patchwork #poetry for Kerfe Day!
We are patchwork, wea constellation of colourslighting children’s eyesso many shades and blades of grassin blue skies, bright orclouded grey and whiteblossoming, bloomingbursting forthin springtime meadow-light. © Experimentsinfiction 2021, All Rights Reserved April has been extended! By Paul Brookes of The Wombwell Rainbow. He has hosted a special ekphrastic challenge for the month of April as part... Continue Reading →
Experiments in Publishing: an update on ‘The Anthropocene Hymnal’
I am making progress with my forthcoming anthology, The Anthropocene Hymnal. I have selected the poems to be included in the manuscript, engaged a cover artist, and the book is starting to take shape. But I am far from near the end of my publishing journey. Publishing in my name Rather than publish in my... Continue Reading →