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31 March 2015

A Plague of Men by Bruce Costello

After the christening ceremony for her sister’s baby who gripped her thumb with tiny fingers, Andrea felt powerful sensations stirring. She registered at a dating site. A man called Ralph ...

Bruce Costello

31 March 2015

Melissa’s World By Bruce Costello

Eleven year old Melissa pushed the point of the scissors into her little finger, just below the nail. She pressed harder until it hurt, gave a little cry and ran ...

Bruce Costello

30 March 2015

Bamboo Curtain by Craig Pay

‘Xièxie,’ I say, concentrating on turning each letter ‘X’ into a sibilant ‘sh’ whilst attempting to trail away the tone on the first syllable. Thank you. The border control officer remains ...

29 March 2015

Quayle Takes the Red Pill by Max Dunbar

I staggered out of the Angel tube into a pounding sandstorm of snow and dust, some guy halfway down the stairs making a joke about climate change, and I bent ...

28 March 2015

You knew death would measure regret: Length, breadth, width. Even I, these few metres beyond that moment Cannot recall whether The window was closed, The fire was guarded, The back door locked, The alarm switched on. If I ...

27 March 2015

Hansel and Gretel by Morgaine Davidson

Some fairy tales can be really quite dreadful, Yet parents still read them to kids by the bedfull; Young Goldilocks should by rights be in jail But gets off scott free in the ...

26 March 2015

Cicadas by Camilla Duggan

Kaleidoscope daydreams and the hard flesh of sole on hot cement that moves you to run. I long for the citrus smell of lemon love and lime lust, To pick tomatoes bigger than a fist, Giggling ...

25 March 2015

Eight Years Gone and Counting by Tina Shaw

Did I believe he was dead, lying in the hard ground with a gravestone over his head? In the rain, under the fallen leaves, in the earth. Can I believe he is there? A thin shiver ...

24 March 2015

Fareham Town by Tina Shaw

In the kaleidoscope of the town, my sinews constrict with the seasons. On the mortar and tarmacadam through age old streets and alleyways moving quad bikes and BMWs fly by in the autumn, and gnarled trees are ...

23 March 2015

Student, Hungover by Morgaine Davidson

For breakfast you’re craving some warm cheese on toast Not a full English fry-up or large Sunday roast, But head for the fridge and it starts to go wrong: This food must have ...

22 March 2015

Age Concerns by Morgaine Davidson

Have you ever had that feeling? The age you’re at seems unappealing. Restrictions governed by your wrinkles, No fairy cakes, no chocolate sprinkles. Many adults often hunger To have a body somewhat younger; Myself, I have ...

21 March 2015

Happiness Overflowing by Dave Schofield

Whether the day should be dim As British days so often are Or rippled with flickering, blinding light Pinched between buildings And mirror-flashed by windows Regardless, I am smiling. Regardless I am smiling standing in rain Soup-like-puddles ...

20 March 2015

Eavesdropping in a Chip Shop by Anthony Keating

His disregard for her is structural, Not the transitory disregard of the bad day, Or the hurt snipping of terrible news,But the fruiting head Of a lifetime of disregard,Sneering and ...

19 March 2015

You by Tina Shaw

The moon waxes in fruitful silence, And the eyes of August wane deepest blue. On southern shores, I kiss the breeze. And in the coal black night, return to you. You touched my soul ...

18 March 2015

Twelve Inch Special by Anita Parmar

People experience too many mis-experiences. We’re disconnected in some ways, even when you are close. I rumoured the lights in the window were dimming and swelling, enclosing a mystery of scandalous nature. Study revealed there was ...

Anita Parmar

17 March 2015

Ice Cream by Dawn Purcell

I stood in the queue outside the pink and white Mr Whippy van enjoying the faint smell of diesel fumes and deep hum of the running engine. Little trumpets sat ...

2 March 2015

Understanding and Kindness by Regina Puckett

- Her wrinkled hand rested on a gnarled cane Patiently waiting out the late afternoon rain ...

17 February 2015

I Miss You by Joshua Tepania

The light in your eyes shines brighter that the sun How many woman have a smile so beautiful? None. Your mind is sharp and your intelligence stunning. If you called me to come, ...

28 January 2015

SHE (maiden mother crone) by Leah Spegal

She walks quietly through dark avenues Looking for you Grandmother for you Giving knowledge Receiving it too Until she comes Here she comes to the round room Grandmother aged face Smile crumpled She gives her last strength to stand Come near No ...

27 January 2015

Forgive by Cindy J Smith

I do hear your plea Day after day Please forgive me Is all that you say Guess should tell you It is already done But my forgiveness Can't make actions undone It does not give Your conscience a cleaning Nor ...

26 January 2015

Better the Devil by Emma Hine

Lost in the dark, tangled in silken threads, the truth as undesirable as her unmade beds. Trapped in a web of lies and deceit, afraid to look up from her own two feet. What ...

25 January 2015

Latitudes and Attitudes by Scarlett D'Luge

Women are like the wind you enjoy the warm breeze melting your heart on a blustery day. you bask in the heat of their passion on a cold winter's night. you linger in the coolness ...

24 January 2015

A Daughter's Depression by Emma Hine

She was a stagnant river, flowing without clarity. Yet on the surface, ripples indicated life. No-one could perceive the stones lobbed with force would break through so, creating ever-decreasing circles and stirring up the murky depths until there was ...

23 January 2015

First Love by Sunita Jugran

For some, the love comes early in life For some, it comes too late. Some get to hold and live this love Some lose it, a game of fate. I got mine, yet I ...