Fiction
The Empty Road
By Margaret Jennings Madie dressed in slouchy trousers and an old tee shirt. No work today. No work for an unknown amount of her future and she was determined to stay healthy. A walk with [… read more ]
nature
Poetry
Earth Poem
By Helen Salsbury Bats flittering in a twilight sky. A deer, holding still on an empty lane, as with quiet cycle wheels, I draw closer. Birds I’ve never seen before, on a [… read more ]
Poetry
The Year of Silent Healing
By Christine Lawrence Exactly when did this happen? We ask ourselves today when we wake up to each morning, the year has slipped away. The good times passed us by and still outside the birds [… read more ]
Poetry
On Southampton Sports Centre During Lockdown
By Cathryn McCarthy This strange April, we watch the daisies rise on ragged lawns, ignored till it began; lost traffic jam orphans, bereft of plan, we jolt awake at solitary cries: bumblebee’s zip, rattled laugh [… read more ]
Poetry
Sky Train / Possessions
A poem by Bruce Parry, accompanied by a piece by his late father, Emlyn, and a painting by his mother, June. Sky Train by Bruce Parry There is a feeling of release and freedom inside [… read more ]
Memoir
In the Shadow of the Oak
Wendy Metcalfe finds an oasis of peace just off the beaten track. One of the things I decided to do during lockdown was extend the amount of walking I did every day. Before lockdown that would [… read more ]
Poetry
Common Things
By Barbara Claridge today by the underpass the jackdaw jabs criss-cross the openfield square by square like police finger tips search long grass juicy with sap between silk stems and butter cups his grey [… read more ]
Fiction
Compost Heap
By Sue Harper Sarah’s partner remarked: ‘I do hope someone cooks dinner.’ That seemed rather a passive-aggressive formulation, Sarah thought. Why not ask her outright? After all, she did it every single day. ‘Will you [… read more ]
Poetry
Nigra Bamboo
By Maggie Sawkins We thought the planting of it would enhance our patio garden, but its stems hardened. Now after four years it has obscured the view from the bedroom window. We have [… read more ]
Culture
Hidden Places Around Portsmouth: End of the Pier Show, Part II
Local resident and photographer John Callaway gives us a glimpse into Portsmouth’s hidden places with his stunning photography. This week, John finds more political metaphors while out in Eastney. So, here we go again. Clowns to the left of [… read more ]