The surgery was scheduled. I thought I could cure all my ills with some skilful application of the surgeon's knife. I thought who I was, was so bad, it must be cut out, silenced - prevented from harming myself and others. Truth is, I mostly only ever hurt myself. Truth is, I love myself, respect... Continue Reading →
The sun appearing over a thick band of grey cloud after many days is a celebration, lighting the world in glory. A welcome sight on the eve of New Year's Eve. We should take the time to celebrate all the golden moments, which pass so quickly, yet live within. The true magic of Christmas resides... Continue Reading →
They were given many names, like 'witch,' or 'bitch,' or 'whore.' I dress in their stories, patterned and purple as night, like the bruises they wore: these troublesome women who always wanted more. Why wouldn't they just accept their position as subordinate, as Adam's rib, as The Lord commanded it? So the men would ask.... Continue Reading →
Sometimes, we’re not given a chance to come to terms with the imminence of our death. Something unexpected happens, and before we know it, it’s all over. I’d parked the car at the sea shore. The waves were getting wilder, and my son pointed out a particularly high one on the horizon. In a panic,... Continue Reading →
I've the next chapter waiting in the wings, but my son's been quarantined because of a case of Covid in the nursery. Furthermore, the laundry's piling up, and there are groceries to buy, and everyone needs their tea. This is the kind of writer's block I experience. The words are always there, but sometimes I... Continue Reading →
Surely this is the best time of year to be where I am, right here. I've never spent early summer on the Slovenian coast before. To go from Andalusia to Northern Slovenia last year was too much of a wrench, I felt that I'd been almost instantaneously robbed of summer. In southern Spain, this time... Continue Reading →
I remember the first tooth you lost. It was Granollers Day, annual fair of the nearest big town. C’était un jour de fête was playing in my head. Too much beer and revelry and sure, I lost a piece of myself that day. Why do we cling on to childhood? I remember the first tooth... Continue Reading →
Hellebores, primrose, bluebells, geranium, forget-me-not: how could I forget you? For our love bloomed in the heady time of late spring flowers, around the rising of the late-May moon. Scents of lavender and roses drifted on the air, as the Star of Bethlehem reflected the moon's splendour, shining white. Buttercups and poppies swayed in daytime... Continue Reading →
Driving home from York as a child: it’s a long drive, nearly three hours. First you cross the Vale of York, then over Bowes Moor from Scotch Corner down into the Eden valley. It’s a lot of wide open spaces and even wider, open skies. I can’t remember the time of year, though I’m guessing... Continue Reading →
"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 →
