Poetry
Your Portsmouth?
By Andrew. “Welcome to your council” reads the dubious sign, And I had not a clue that the thing was all mine! Last time that I checked I had three mobile phones, But surely the [… read more ]
Poetry
Poetry
Things to Do Around Southsea
By Maggie Sawkins Sit where Steve Tebb, Drainman of Portsmouth, sat, watch the dancing sea. Reminisce the Wild Mouse, the Wall of Death, Uncle Charlie’s tattoos. Get married for the third time. Launch a [… read more ]
Poetry
Common Rape
By Donna Jones You smacked me, Attacked me And ripped my clothes off. You bit me, Unzipped me And broke my womb. You are my be-friender, First boyfriend; My dodgy ‘uncle’, Shadow [… read more ]
Poetry
Portsmouth Pounds
By Donna Jones. There’s pounds here in these curved yachts, In these block penthouses; Italian leather bags cupping keys, crafted wallets and lip gloss; Crisp suits, crinkle linen and boating shoes that know they [… read more ]
Poetry
Urban Prophet
By Donna Jones Have i got cunt tattooed on my forehead? Mug on my curling breath? Don’t dis me cos i is 55. Don’t miss me, replace me, erase me or displace me Cos [… read more ]
Poetry
Detritus
By Donna Jones. Last year’s detritus lies sulking, Skulking in mud, Trapped between yesterday and tomorrow’s resolutions. Torn Christmas cards, fox torn bags, seepage. Mouldy peelings, used panty liners, and wet dog shit. Shredded [… read more ]
Memoir
Harbour
By Maggie Sawkins. Gentian (with a g as in gate) is late. He was scraping dishes last night at Ken’s Kebabs. One day, he says, when he’s mastered this lingo, he’ll have a restaurant of [… read more ]
Poetry
Teaching English at Friendship House
By Maggie Sawkins Although he came from the mountains (this much I learnt) he didn’t understand my words for snow. I fluttered my fingers in front of him but he only saw [… read more ]
History
The Strange Case of Léonard and Margaret
Editor and linguist Simon Sykes recounts a thrilling mystery bringing together World War II code-breaking, French poetry and, of course, Portsmouth. Some time ago, I was living in the outlands of southwest France. It was [… read more ]
Poetry
On the Spinnaker Tower
By Guy Walker Emerging onto the viewing platform the world tilts while spinnakered dinghies sew their courses below. My hometown lurches at my feet. I am inside the tinted eye of a fly. A [… read more ]