After failing to heed my therapist’s advice not to open them all at once, I stopped. I cleared away the mess ‘Friendship’, ‘Love’ and ‘Work’ had made and left ‘Childhood’ on the table. It stayed like that for days; like a baby elephant in the room with all of the gold edges becoming unstuck. A … Continue reading Four Boxes: Childhood
There were two boxes left. I was surrounded by layers of paper, glitter crumpled candy canes and velvet red. The mess which is left you when endeavour to delve a little deeper. ‘Work’ and ‘Childhood’ remained. The snowflaked blue box is cold to touch and the ink on the label is smudged. This box frightens … Continue reading Four Boxes: Work
I waited but a few hours before ‘Love’ overcame me; compelled me to gingerly remove the sprig of holly. The red berries burning brightly in the light. A leaf nicked my palm in my gentle haste and drew a pinpoint of blood, which my lips closed over and kissed away. The ribbon was tied tight, … Continue reading Four Boxes: Love
For Christmas, my therapist gifted me four boxes. Beautifully wrapped with thick, Clinton paper and ribbon. Each had a label. ‘Work’ was decorated in snowflakes, the ribbon was blue. ‘Love’ was deep red with a sprig of holly on top. ‘Friendship’ was busy with candy canes and glitter. ‘Childhood’ was gold, just gold and without … Continue reading Four Boxes: Friendship
I’ve been ill recently and part of the recovery has been learning how to be kinder to myself. I have decided to document the times I’ve felt pretty; this is my way of reminding myself there have been moments I have looked in the mirror and didn’t feel worthless. Being ill and being unkind has … Continue reading Selfies are for keeps
I moved into a new house with everything on the ground floor. It had two fridges and it was full of soft drinks and beer. The carpet was old as was the wallpaper. I can remember beige and blue and four televisions. The garage was a haven but it was cold. It had a sofa … Continue reading A dream: heart & mind
Long ago, a little girl was visited under the cover of night by midnight’s mischievous servants. They tumbled in through the window sash and juggled stardust like it existed in plenty. To you or me, their voices are but squeaks. To the little girl that night they spoke louder than uncomfortable silence and taught her … Continue reading A Short Story
It is strange. Of all the places I wear the red tutu the most, it is in the bath or by the sea. My ghost prefers to be near water. Perhaps the translucency, baring the skin and bones of all who venture in, helps it feel less alone. Or it sways in the coastal breeze … Continue reading Mermaid
Three days had passed, since she visited her allotment last. She felt guilty for neglecting her parsnips, turnips, carrots, kale and cabbages. She hoped she would have prizewinners this year. She hoped for better than the disaster eleven months prior. The autumn she had succumbed to the fall. The weather had been exceptionally unkind. She … Continue reading The Allotment
I feel an emptiness but I also need to buy milk and tonight’s dinner. I’ve made it to the shops but there is a coffee house here. So instead of milk and dinner, I’m hiding in the back, settled into a semi-circular swing back chair, with a hot chocolate and cake I can’t really afford. … Continue reading A Hot Chocolate
