Coming and Going – And gone forever

Image of the sun setting over clouds, used to illustrate post

last week was the departureBella has gonethis week is the arrivalsons and daughtersnever seen before they gather forwhatever Bella left themand they rake overthe remains of her possessionsthe final accoutrementsof a life well-livedbut one they barely knew abandoned for 20 yearsin housing for older peoplewe all knew her wellwe will wait for them to go […]

Dastardly Dave – May he be cursed forever

Image of woman who may be living in the past, used to illustrate post

I’ve loved you, Bensince I don’t know when but I’ve lost you nowand I don’t know how one day you were thereand I always knew where but I grew too old, it seemsI don’t know what it means for you are older than meyou wanted to be free I never kept you a slavebut now […]

Mr Robinson’s Razor – And something to shave away

Image of a razor, soap and brush, used to illustrate post.

Mr. Robinson looked on to his drive. The fence his neighbour had erected was swaying slightly in the wind. Mr. Robinson smiled. He turned away to get on with his day. Into the bathroom. Yesterday, whilst cleaning out his hall cupboard, Mr. Robinson had found his wet shaving gear, put away since last Christmas, having […]

Old Cronies – Friends for life

Image of a group of old people looking at a computer and talking together, used to illustrate post.

we stumble throughremembering of thingseach of us reminding another of things forgottenfrom yesterdaybut each havingwell-remembered storiesfrom decades long ago we niggle and moanabout the health of eachcomparing meds andthings no longer managedmobility, sight and hearingare usually top of the listbut various chronic conditionscome in at second place through complaintsand memory lossthere is everlasting comfortold friends gathering […]

That Was The Week – Beginning 4 November 2024

Image of diary with text of 'This Week' used to illustrate post

I made a visit to the University of England (UWE) main campus library at the beginning of the week where I have formerly used their very quiet study area for reading and writing. On the last occasion I travelled there, it took me 40 minutes to go from my flat to be sat down in […]

The Value of Ignorance – And how it enriches my life

Image of a pair of graduation caps hanging from the ceiling as light shades to illustrate post

I would like to argue that my life is enriched and has great value as a result of my ignorance. I appreciate that this is a somewhat strange thing to say, and so I will attempt to explain how I have reached that conclusion. It is particularly strange for me to talk about the enrichment […]

Balancing – Light and dark

Image of a sunset over the sea, used to illustrate post

the darkness comesand with itthe loss of hopethe rise of fearand despaireverywhere bound here comes thosewho would chooseto operate in shadowboundaries not holdinglove not embracingwisdom never found we relish the lightto push back the darkaccepting not chaosbut order as a ruleenhance the dayto end the night yet daily we loseunable to hold backthe force of […]

That Was The Week – Beginning 28 October 2024

Image of diary with text of 'This Week' used to illustrate post

This was a big week for the UK, where I live, and it was quite a big week for me, personally, but on a really tiny scale for the rest of the world. Nonetheless, my day, like everyone else’s day, is made-up of tiny events, which become significant within the individual worlds in which we […]

Tree – Of words

Image of a tree containing these words as the entirety of the post…I don't know why I love trees as much as I do and yet have never found out as much as I should have about variation within them it feels wrong I did try once but it was hard and I gave-up too soon it feels wrong

I don’t know why I love trees as muchas I do and yet have never found outas much as I should haveabout variationwithin them itfeels wrongI did try oncebut it was hardand I gave-up toosoon itfeels wrong FraserOctober 2024

Red Armchair – Existing as a magic portal

Image of a red Chesterfield armchair, used to illustrate post

Here is an armchair, a Chesterfield armchair — only one — as two would not have fitted in this small space. The giant sofa did not fit through the door of the flat (apartment), never mind in the lounge/study/dining room/ extended kitchen space that really should just have been a lounge. Still, the kitchen is […]