goes he walks the dogs in Wombwell Woods, lets them off the lead after he potters round the golf course. Returns to a glass of red at the wooden picnic table in his back garden. Destress is what it is. Better than heart tremors, shivers, a mouth falling as if it has lost support and all else tightens a twisted tourniquet of work targets and penalties.

via Daily Prompt: Lifestyle

The blue book arrived tied with frayed white ribbon, like a gift. You have to unwrap it, or ease the tied ribbon off the glossy cover. The only capital letters in the book are on the flyleaf where it begins “I am a painter who writes…” and later “I have worked full time as an artist since 1999..” and ” Quite patient, hold my tongue” and finally “It is not all you see on the surface…” The books title is ‘.pinned.” as if the full stop operates as a device to pin out the word like stitches.
Opening the pages there are words on one side and a photograph on the other. All the photos are slightly fuzzy and of parts of things. In the words she speaks of “stitches” being like crosses or kisses. It is a wonderful way of speaking of passion and hurt.
Both photos and words live on long after you have read the book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Only available from the publisher 20/20 Vision Publishing

when he got dizzy and had to sit on a form dedicated to dead folk. He says “Can you see the chip shop on top of Moel Famau?” as we look across the Dee to his memory climbing the mighty mountain with his friend Pete, Scout Troop Leader of the kestrels, two ground sheets and six sticks to keep out the weather, and asking to stay in farmers barns under warm straw and now try to catch elusive breath up slight gradients almost thin as a stick. “Chip shop, Dad?” “It’s an old castle, son.”

via Daily Prompt: Panicked

in serenity. A young boy died dabbling below this surface he never rose from.

Police dove and dragged depths his mam and siblings still cannot fathom.

via Photo Challenge: Danger!

so fine as learning to say “No.” with conviction and confidence when all about adamant for a “Yes”, teaching your sinew to listen, recognise that small voice as uniquely your own and no one else’s, to bring that instinct, that reason to front so everyone else can hear your point of view clearly and quietly.

via Daily Prompt: None

Many thanks to Kathy Kieth of Medusa’s Kitchen for featuring seven of my poems

http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/payment-is-always-due.html?m=1

“New Folk (From ‘My Maths’ chapbook #Dyscalculia)” featured thankyou to Jake in The Creative Cafe

https://thecreative.cafe/new-folk-from-my-maths-chapbook-dyscalculia-46d28d683bac

“Your Damned Anthropocene” kindly featured by Jamie G. Dedes
“Wonderlust Rain Forest” … poems and other works by readers in response to Wednesday’s Writing Prompt https://jamiededes.com/2017/05/02/wonderlust-rain-forest/ via @JamieDedes

the organising principle, garden tools under lock and key, overgrown within bounds, wild abandon limited, rebel youth chaos let off pressure, autistic challenge unexpected colour, chains can help growth, guide it. Some excited by chains and keys and frisson drugged by season’s change.

via Daily Prompt: Control

“You Should Be” kindly published in The Wrytr. Thankyou Efe.

https://thewrytr.com/you-should-be-9b781920124b