There is poetry at the heart of everything Biscello writes. I read his novel Nocturne Variations earlier this year and became enamoured with his poetic style. Therefore, Arclight was nothing less than a joy to read. Broken into seven sections, Arclight is structurally balanced with three line thoughts and longer poems which are the pinnacle … Continue reading Review of Arclight, John Biscello
Syrdal’s Pantheon is a modern novel but of epic proportions; seeking to harness the same storytelling power of Homer’s Odyssey or Virgil’s Aeneid. I found the first two chapters/books a fascinating exploration of the human condition and the daily battles we face, framed in fantasy. The novel as a cohesive whole was perhaps lost on … Continue reading Review of Pantheon, Eric Syrdal
Sitting still "My attempt at conversation was feeble at best. We talked about the weather and when the TV programme ended I asked, ‘What’s next?’ ‘You could run a bath and then go to bed. You could paint your toenails, mess up and start again. You could hang those photos you’ve been meaning to for … Continue reading The Dee Diaries #4
Once I began reading Twelve, I couldn’t stop. I was captivated by her words and felt every teardrop of her grief. We are not taught how to grieve but Austin’s choice to document and share the first year of mourning her Mother’s death, is a beautiful way to begin. Her words inspire, comfort and sting. … Continue reading Review of TWELVE, Kindra M. Austin
I have never paid enough attention to doors and the way they look: pulled open, ajar, or closed. Or how they bear memories, of blows and the passionate kisses pressed up against their spines. The worn lock screaming secrecy and the scuff marks chuckling mischief. Light seeps through them, four clean lines, a … Continue reading The white light
I want to write you a love song. Deafen you with music and blind you to who I really am; a girl taught to please in the gargoyle face of disappointment; a girl eager to achieve anything you ask, spoken or unspoken; a girl who wishes she could find her ship instead of cling onto … Continue reading Real love, good love
Sorry is a stone
because it is cliff-like
in my pocket
and gobstopper hard
beneath my tongue
and one is not enough
to summon an ocean
with white horses
and forgiveness.
It is a pebble, shy to water,
resting heavily
at the back of my throat.
© Kristiana Reed 2019
Kristiana Reed is an English teacher and a writer. She is the author of the WordPress blog My Screaming Twenties and she writes about love, her struggle with mental health, survival and hope. She is currently in the middle of producing Between the Trees, her debut anthology, and writing her first novel.
Even now, years on, I speak about you with my hands held over my eyes; red cheeked and ashamed. The shame I carry belonged to you; you gave it to me for safe keeping, a list of all the rules you had broken. It should still belong to you rather than to me; … Continue reading Shame is the colour red
It’s Spring, dandelion season so the fairies lift and slip through the air carrying wishes and sneezes in their pockets. A couple walk palm distance apart laughing into the breeze and into each other’s hearts, smiling young love as the fairies flies past. An old man, all in black, leans against a railing in … Continue reading Dandelion Season
I would like to forgive my body if only I knew how. Perhaps I should write a list of everything I dislike and light it with a match; watch it smoulder with eager eyes and a glass of wine. Or I should write a list of my favourite parts and scrawl them across every mirror. … Continue reading Forgiveness
