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
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 ]
Poetry
Heaven’s Light Our Guide
By Tess Foley All I did was fall straight down and out of love. Could be when you maimed the lanes, more likely when I Noticed upright sentries, every road with every turn, On [… read more ]
Poetry
Bird in Hand
By Richard Williams The FA Cup 1939 – 2008 We drink in the presence of greatness. A glorious bird of paradise that fills the room with life. Wanderers to Portsmouth all roads between, a [… read more ]
Poetry
Spice Island Looking Back
By Richard Williams And nothing much has really changed: before spinnakers both concrete and canvas, before outlet shopping centres all these restaurant chains with make-believe authenticity from China, India, Italy, Americas and everywhere in [… read more ]
Poetry
Seasonal Tides
By Helen Elliott Pastel palette beach huts Sun-bleached on the Solent, pebbled sands, Awaiting summer’s curtain call The closing of her seasonal demands. On the morrow, they stand weary To greet autumn aurora with [… read more ]
Poetry
One of my Pupils
by Guy Walker In Memoriam _________ __________ (Died in Syria aged 20 in 2014) Our city empty of you, absence your sole parting gift. Familial fabric rent and only threads left. In year eight [… read more ]
Poetry
The Next Station Is
By Richard Williams Portsmouth and Southsea then Fratton and Hilsea, clattering over the creek to the points at Cosham west to Southampton, Salisbury and Cardiff, east to Brighton, north to Waterloo. And you [… read more ]