#66 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_qQmWznxjT/?igshid=9fhkkpje5vq0 This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. It was published with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and is out now. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Tag Archives: elisabethpike
Gratitude #65
#65 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_nsXkznIHg/?igshid=1thejp0sm283e This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. It was published with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and is out now. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #64
This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. It was published with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and is out now. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #62
#62 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_f6DXZnwcQ/?igshid=csfpsnmsztdv This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. It was published with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and is out now. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #61
#61 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_c0OA_H0NS/?igshid=ygxd2to0aa11 This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. It was published with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and is out now. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #60
#60 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_a4WB8H30G/?igshid=1ipb4wh733hvs This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. It was published with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and is out now. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #59
#59 Anyone spot the mistake yesterday? I posted two #57s in a row! So here’s 59! It’s about the birds. We found ourselves in a particularly chatty bird area on our walk so I recorded it and then I just got the poem just now, after dinner, all in one sentence almost. It has beenContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #59”
Gratitude #58
#57 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VfAi1HK9a/?igshid=6qff1o5hkyqf I know! It says #57 on the picture but this is actually poem #58. I made an error. This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. It was published with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and isContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #58”
Gratitude #57
#57 #gratitude #gratitudepoem Another day, another poem. How are you all doing? Today’s poem is a little ode to ‘The Bright Field’ by RS Thomas and is all about our own bright field. Hope you are all managing, whatever your situation is at this strange time. Today is a new day. And if today didn’tContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #57”
Gratitude #56
#56 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_QdLk2H4kr/?igshid=1k2n3tl6yemia This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. It was published with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and is out now. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #55
#55 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_N0IZNnff8/?igshid=16q6iccsd6jyp This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. It was published with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and is out now. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #53
#53 Thankful for home today. Am setting up a desk slowly slowly (after already shifting it once) It will have to be in the lounge for now but the view 👌🏻 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_IRURlnqwB/?igshid=zkr9qk8mk6ge This poem is featured in my book ‘Voice at the Window: one hundred gratitude poems written during lockdown’ by Elisabeth Pike. ContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #53”
Gratitude #52
#52 The wisdom of the trees. We went to the woods today for a walk. It was good to do something different and we all enjoyed the fresh air in our lungs. Have posted pics of the trees I wrote about in the poem. And also this magnificent poem by Ada Limon which I haveContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #52”
Gratitude #51
#51 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B_DhhhRnLKB/?igshid=o4kwoc1r2fdq Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #50
#50 It feels hard today and I feel a bit tetchy. So I’m just having five minutes on my bench. Thankful that I get this amazing view to look at. And thankful for realising that I feel stressed today and doing a little bit of deep breathing. We can’t change this situation, all we canContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #50”
Gratitude #49
#49 Looked out of the window today and saw the A49 all pale and silent, completely empty. I am thankful for the ‘big pause’ as I heard it described today, but there are also challenges being at home with four children, I’m not gonna lie! It is very demanding in terms of time and forContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #49”
Gratitude #48
#48 #gratitude #gratitudepoem #npm2020 #tellher1for30 #tellhersummithttps://www.instagram.com/p/B-7FotvnmvH/?igshid=15snbhgpx38zz Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #47
#47 Ok so I’m going to try to keep going! For as long as life seems crazy! I’m going to try to post a little earlier though so I have time to do other things in the evenings.. like start working on other projects again.. hang on I don’t really have a space to writeContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #47”
Gratitude #46
#46 #gratitude #gratitudepoem I just love Spring. I struggle with winter, with creativity and being cold and feeling hopeless but am just in love with how quickly Spring comes and there is new life and abundance everywhere. This year has been so strange with all these things mixed up together; the glorious sun, the joyContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #46”
Gratitude #45
#45 #gratitude #gratitudepoem #goodfriday Nearly at the end. One more tomorrow and then I will have to think of some other things to post! https://www.instagram.com/p/B-0J5wUHvw8/?igshid=1sadrczqfasy8 Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #44
#44 #gratitude #gratitudepoem #lockdown https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xcpq2H7BO/?igshid=ujfak7ttcbgd Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #43
#43 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B-vDjKUnYIl/?igshid=wohx8apa74j7 Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #42
#42 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B-sbGzznOBs/?igshid=1sm7e23qdzm7o Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #41
#41 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B-pzuHJnsUR/?igshid=1uygcedv6kw4o Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #40
#40 Wow I’ve got to no. 40! I’ll be posting til the end of lent which is Saturday I believe?! (Apparently it could be Thursday or Saturday!) I’ve managed to post a poem each day and it has lightened my heart to look for the good things each day and I hope that hasContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #40”
Gratitude #39
#39 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B-kqF2nngi7/?igshid=1p9byez76023u Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #38
#38 #gratitude #gratitudepoem Sometimes it can feel like we don’t have a lot to offer to the world, and in the face of a crisis like this, we can say, ‘what can I do?’, ‘how can I help?’ Well the government has reaffirmed what we can do- Stay at home, Protect the NHS, SaveContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #38”
Gratitude #37
#37 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B-fcwDyn_ox/?igshid=m28w9ea9ry6s Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #36
#36 #gratitude #gratitudepoem Still here posting these little musings. How is everyone doing? Hope you’re surviving and thriving. Lots of love xxhttps://www.instagram.com/p/B-czHshHLsL/?igshid=y6vxionxb3an Voice at the window, 100 gratitude poems written during lockdown was successfully funded by a kickstarter and is out now. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #35
#35 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B-aR1A_HZaI/?igshid=6oemja98amkt EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #34
#34 I feel like these are getting more and more random, as I get more tired, see less people and don’t have the internet 🤪! We should be reconnected on Thurs! Hope you are all keeping well in this crazy time.. 😘 #gratitude #gratitudepoemhttps://www.instagram.com/p/B-Xxzv4nh9N/?igshid=1oie0n83u3h9a EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: OneContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #34”
Gratitude #33
#33 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B-VNSyRHySf/?igshid=15boivwtrcavf EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #32
#32 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B-SuOyCnIRu/?igshid=hdgdlyais7bt EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #31
#31 We’re in! It is so light and beautiful here. Up on a hill. It’s a bungalow (curve ball for me who has always dreamed of a Victorian terrace) and there is a view to die for. Tired now so today’s poem is short and sweet! Now to spend a long time settling in…#gratitudeContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #31”
Gratitude #30
#30 Farewell to our lovely old house. #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Nez88n2uj/?igshid=1vodu54k9wwkm EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #28
#28 Thankful for my little bundles with me on the raft! The longer this goes on, the more it feels like this is causing a seismic shift in our society, that it is changing our lives forever, there will always be a before and after. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. #gratitudeContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #28”
Gratitude #27
#27 I think! This poem ain’t gonna make anyone feel very happy sorry! I’m so thankful for my little peeps, the sunshine, friends who keep me entertained on WhatsApp and my long suffering husband too! 😊 EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was publishedContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #27”
Gratitude #26
#26 I love my Mum to bits and today I am thankful for her. I find it so hard to put into words what she means to me. But here is a start. It’s a funny old day today, another ticked off the list of many at home it seems, but love holds theContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #26”
Gratitude #22
#22 Had to dig deep for this one today. There are always little things to be thankful for. And even if they seem small cast against the great grey mass of cv which seems to loom over us, the truth is that this shall pass, and things shall go to how they were before, butContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #22”
Gratitude #20
#20 We’re on lockdown. Ben had a temp on the weekend so that’s us now, self isolating for 14 days! 😳 The good things are: a) I don’t mind being in! b) Ben’s symptoms were very mild so if it was cv and the others get it, hopefully won’t be too bad. c) One ofContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #20”
Gratitude #19
#19 ‘All will be well’ This shall all pass. Sending love and peace to everyone today. #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B9wc56oHsMX/?igshid=mhtrtlr775em EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #18
#18 Not the most gratitude-y of poems today. Everything is a bit unknown. But all we can do is all we can do. And then we have to just have hope that this will all pass like a bad storm and dream of summer where we will be warm and go for walks by theContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #18”
Gratitude #17
Gratitude #17 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B9sCZHIH2f6/?igshid=1q879jruvazxi EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #16
Gratitude #16 Coronavirus can do one. Earlier today, I listened to Boris saying that we could lose loved ones and felt a pang of despair. And yes these are scary times. But we have to say no to fear. Just keep going, wash our hands and be sensible. And then we went out to ourContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #16”
Gratitude #15
#15 all about the sun and home https://www.instagram.com/p/B9m8uoKH0Ew/?igshid=1xhtckag2hxz6 EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #15
Gratitude #15 all about sunlight and home. #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B9mnuUqHajZ/?igshid=dobhxp50ubwm EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #13
Gratitude #13 I hope these aren’t boring! 😁 I just wanted an aim to post each day and it makes me write and it makes me be thankful and for both of those I am THANKFUL! 💕💕 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B9h0Fn-HrT1/?igshid=16kd1sk62nse EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written duringContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #13”
Gratitude #12
This ones a rough sketch! Lots of ideas, doesn’t quite feel fully formed.. but I’ve run out of time today. I just love seeing the buds at this time of year- they give me such hope. Renewal, growth, making new, tiny beginnings, all the good stuff! #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fK3mXnjCi/?igshid=sldwcy90n85g EDIT: This poem is featured inContinueContinue reading “Gratitude #12”
Gratitude #11
#11 #gratitude #thankful #peace #poem #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ckQN4n5ML/?igshid=jlekho570d50 EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #9
#9 all about one of the loves of my life, little Annie Mae 💕 https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Xk3hxHvAw/?igshid=tzuyletimkkv EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
Gratitude #8
#8 #gratitude #gratitudepoem https://www.instagram.com/p/B9UnQAwHStq/?igshid=1imw98z9nl42r EDIT: This poem is featured in Voice at the Window: One hundred poems written during lockdown which was published thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. You can get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/870191768/voice-at-the-window-one-hundred?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1
You are the only one – FREE digital print!
I still have a few of these A5 handlettered prints left over from the book launch (frame not included) so will send one out with any order of the book ORDERED FROM THE ETSY SHOP ONLY up until 00.00am GMT on Tuesday 28th May! After that they will be added to my Etsy shop. http://etsy.me/2P9XwybContinueContinue reading “You are the only one – FREE digital print!”
Circles book launch!
✨💫Thank you so much everyone who came and supported the book launch today! It was a wonderful party for this book that has been so long in the making. I felt blessed honoured and loved so thank you! ✨💕🙌🏻✨ if you still haven’t got it, you can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/681250504/circles-nurture-and-grow-your-creative?ref=shop_home_recs_5&pro=1&frs=1 #shrewsbury #lovebooks #booklaunch #circlesContinueContinue reading “Circles book launch!”
Circles Book launch!
Book launch! This weekend! All welcome, just rock up!
Circles by Elisabeth Pike: OUT NOW!
C O M I N G T O M O R R O W! Tomorrow’s the big day! I’ve just listed this baby on Etsy so you can place an order now and it will be shipped out tomorrow: Etsy listing is here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/681250504/circles-nurture-and-grow-your-creative?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1 Last blog post is now up as well- all about faithContinueContinue reading “Circles by Elisabeth Pike: OUT NOW!”
Dedication from Circles which is OUT TODAY!
Dedication. Much love 💕 Out today! Thankful 💕 Get it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/681250504/circles-nurture-and-grow-your-creative?ref=shop_home_feat_1&frs=1 #dedication #writersofinstagram #newbook #author #creativelife #creativewalk #faithwriting #thankful https://www.instagram.com/p/BvtRn2Dns6e/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cylhzhkmn4hb
Imposter Syndrome – we’ve all been there!
In the creative bustle, it sometimes feels like everyone else has got it going on and you’re not quite there yet.. let’s just do some myth busting on that! I fully believe that most people are blagging it (!😂) and that everyone can suffer from imposter syndrome. When I started running writing workshops, a littleContinueContinue reading “Imposter Syndrome – we’ve all been there!”
Faith and Mystery
Because I am a writer, I believe in magic. Because I have a faith, I believe in what cannot be explained. I believe that life is a story, at times hilarious, sad and uncanny, that the strangest things happen all of the time. For me, living with a Christian faith is about accepting theContinueContinue reading “Faith and Mystery”
Circles: Out on Monday!
Circles is out on Monday! You can order it from my Etsy shop, any bookshop, or Amazon. Digital versions are available here: UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PSHNDZC US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PSHNDZC Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PSHNDZC Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07PSHNDZC KOBO Kobo eBook: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/circles-35 From April 1st, ePub and PDF editions will also be available from: https://www.onwardsandupwards.org/product/circles @oupublishers #newbook #circles #writersofinstagram #author #happyfriday #writer #orderyoursContinueContinue reading “Circles: Out on Monday!”
Letting Go (An excerpt from Circles)
The following extract from my new book Circles: Nurture and Grow your Creative Gift is about that action of releasing what we have made into the world and the feeling of vulnerability that comes with that. Also the fact that our works are not extensions of us, but they are their own thing somehow, setContinueContinue reading “Letting Go (An excerpt from Circles)”
Why I write about motherhood
I just want to put it out there that I’m not a self-certified expert on parenting by any means. I run courses on writing motherhood because I write, I always have done; it’s how I process my feelings – my grief, my joys, my disappointments, and it’s how I can convey my wildly fluctuating feelingsContinueContinue reading “Why I write about motherhood”
NEW WORKSHOPS!
Book your ticket at http://721471fc10b8.fikket.com/
Writing about Type 1
I am a writer and I have written, pondered and grieved Type 1 a lot over the years. I write to process my emotions, I write around a subject when I don’t quite know what it is that I want to say. But the truth is that type 1 invaded our lives so thoroughly whenContinueContinue reading “Writing about Type 1”
On perfectionism, Anne Lamott
“Perfectionism means that you try desperately not to leave so much mess to clean up. But clutter and mess show us that life is being lived. Clutter is wonderfully fertile ground- you can still discover new treasure under all those piles, clean things up, edit things out, fix things, get a grip. Tidiness suggests thatContinueContinue reading “On perfectionism, Anne Lamott”
How She Does It: Liz Pike | Studio Mothers: Life & Art
Great to have my work featured on this gorgeous US based blog Studio Mothers>> check it out! How She Does It: Liz Pike | Studio Mothers: Life & Art
There You Are – its here!
ITS HERE! My book of poems about motherhood that has been one year in the making has arrived! Order NOW and it will get to you in time for Christmas! Or order for a friend and I’ll ship it straight to them! I’ll also be selling these beauties at Condover craft fair on Saturday too.ContinueContinue reading “There You Are – its here!”
Write From the Heart joy
Some of the things we have got up to last year.. miniature houses, cut out poems, zines, cut up characters.. We’re back for more this September running several Afterschool clubs in the area.
#4
The blossom like a surprise, it is there and then gone, The scent, and then gone, so quickly. The lush wildness overtakes the place, There is the feeling of hope And the first really warm days. May.
#3
On a train to Lime Street The fields rush by all green and yellow. For the first time we are going to a city for the day, diabetic daughter and I. Who would have thought when this thing showed up, how much it would overtake us, how from that day on, there would be fearContinueContinue reading “#3”
thought
I sit before a dark window frame, The sickly thought of black leaves rustling out there turns my stomach. The quietness rings in my ears and the glare of the screen wearies my eyes. I am thinking tonight of this treasure that I’ve found, the origin of flightlessness. What does it mean for me?
Circles
It is summer that makes me want to write, I swear each year it is the same. This time, this light, the long evenings, my hands becoming soft again, my skin fixing itself again. The older I grow, the more I see this life in circles. I swear it’s the same each year.
Paris Review – The Art of Fiction No. 208, Louise Erdrich
The Paris Review is a literary magazine featuring original writing, art, and in-depth interviews with famous writers. Great interview with Louise Erdrich.. Just the type of thing to spur me on for a morning’s writing.. Paris Review – The Art of Fiction No. 208, Louise Erdrich
#85
‘Mummy’, he whispers in my ear, ‘Come close to me’. He is full of cold. It is nice to be wanted by this boisterous boy for a change. He can normally do it all himself. I move my head to his press my cheek against his fluffy hair, and soon he breathes the deep rhythmContinueContinue reading “#85”
#80
Peace is how this feels: Something accomplished, And a space before me, a day, at least of just my little brood, my family. The pirates came and we had crazy fun, Water bombing that baddy pirate Pete. There were tears and laughs and shouts, A big chocolate cake And a sword each, buried in aContinueContinue reading “#80”
#79
A week full of school things and not enough sleep or headspace, and there are twelve little pirates coming to play on Saturday. I want it to be special for him but I have to admit I’ll be glad when it is done with.
#78
We go to ballet, and there she quickly changes into her tutu, picks up a star and dances around. They go on a magic carpet ride to the beach, they make a castle and smash it down. She comes alive, skipping around this room. There is magic in the lonely sound of this piano. ItContinueContinue reading “#78”
#77
I will do the garden this evening, pull the roots up from under the soil, shake the mud from them and pile them up in a bucket. There is nothing so therapeutic as gardening, and for a long time I didn’t know this.
#76
Cold back, happy heart. The boys fall into bed at 8.30. Sam has been at school all week, His first week. There have been tears each day from my love, My brave boy who was the biggest and loudest in the Preschool playground, who jumped the highest, who ran the fastest. Just next door, atContinueContinue reading “#76”
#75
And then the next day, driving down to Kidderminster, I am glad that we are together, not sad that I am wasting a day going all that way to fetch a car. Because after all, when you have children, what is time wasting anyway? We pick up the car, and drive back to a playgroundContinueContinue reading “#75”
#74
He does it again, my adventurer. Has a gig, plucks a cellist from the next village along. The car breaks on the way so the RAC man takes him a couple of junctions up the motorway to meet a hire car so he can still get there, in the end, to walk onstage and toContinueContinue reading “#74”
#72
Tired tonight after friends staying, so they fall into bed, her clutching her pretend jewel, him dreaming through the stories. Littlest asleep in the other room already. Sometimes it works like clockwork and these little ones too tired to protest.
#71 – Sadness
It is like a lurch in the heart, not a pang of love, but that same throb. It gathers at the centre of my ribcage, a fistful of cloth. It is a pebble, hard and smooth that will not be moved or chipped away. It is a mouth fixed downwards, a resigned stare, a gentleContinueContinue reading “#71 – Sadness”
#70
They dream of jousting but when we are there, they are scared and can’t understand it is make-believe. We walk in circles through the maze find the secret tunnel and come up behind the waterfall. It is a magical day.
#69
I’ve said it before butI want it always to be like this:little people in command of their space, walking to the drawer to get paper,appearing at the doorway in funny hats.Calling ‘mummy’ in the night.This is their safe space,Their kingdom.
#67
We go to castle on the border, it rains and I remember that it rained the last time that we came too. We climb the winding stairs and they try on the chain mail, and they can’t believe how heavy it is. The rain clears and we go outside and they roll down the bank,ContinueContinue reading “#67”
#65
I don’t know how to dress for this weather; pouring rain, then bright bright sun. I have a carload of sleepers and five minutes to spare. We have come to meet a friend at Attingham, but there is a tinge of sadness as I wait because all of these sixty-somethings that I see walking aroundContinueContinue reading “#65”
#64
Busy today, We go from thing to thing to thing. And quiet now, They have all gone. We watch red dry pictures of Australia on TV. We drink strong tea, feeling tired, feeling thankful, still that some days things are just normal.
#63
He has been drawing, drawing, drawing, this Sam. He is obsessive, like his father, he does not give up. He cries when I draw the wings of his dragon too small. He draws beautiful things: Monsters, houses hiding behind trees full of leaves, Pirates, a Daddy with a generous beard. We go out for anContinueContinue reading “#63”
#62
It feels like I can breathe a sigh of relief, perhaps. Not that he is home yet, But out of the woods, let’s say. A funny week, Of tenterhooks and distracted anxiety. Of offered prayers, Of thankfulness.
#61
Facebook tells he that he has died, this man that has made us all laugh, or cry, so many times. The part in Mrs Doubtfire where he loses his kids in court, the words of wisdom he speaks in Good Will Hunting. So sad, so sad that there was not another way for him, thatContinueContinue reading “#61”
#60
These children, they don’t sit down! They play, they fight, they colour and learn to ride a bike in one day. They jump off the slide, don’t sit still at dinner, can’t wind down enough even to watch TV. They talk all through the bedtime story, Because they keep thinking of things to say (soContinueContinue reading “#60”
#59
The moon is as bright as a lamp tonight; it lights the road as I walk across. The wind whips the bushes and trees up into a fury behind me. I am glad for the yellow warmth of home, for the door opened to welcome me in.
#58
After eating a good meal that we will remember for a long time, we wander around the cobbled streets of this old town. We head up to St Chads to see the fireworks, and they open the gates to let us in- an unexpected gift. The fireworks open like flowers before us in the blackContinueContinue reading “#58”
#57
They go on a bear hunt today. Swishing through the long grass, hunting for gummy bears. They crawl under a willow dragonfly and then mould mud pies on their palms. They eat porridge cooked on a campfire in the burning sun. And afterwards, in the shade, They dip their toes in the cold, cold stream.
#56
They start at the bottom, Go a little way, Have us catch them. ‘Again’, they say, ‘A bit higher’ ‘Catch me!’ ‘Push me!’ We sledge at Inwood on steep grass banks. It lights up their eyes, Just as it surely did for us when we were young. And I realise that in so many waysContinueContinue reading “#56”
#55
It rings in my ears, the quiet in this house, here, now. I can sit down without wondering where Ben is or what he is chewing. I can hear children (not mine) shouting, two fields over. A car hums along the road. The rocking chair creaks as Joel sits down. He starts to talk, slowly,ContinueContinue reading “#55”
#54
We are blown away by this life, these words, this hope, this kindness. We must start to live differently.
#53
He screams in his high chair, sends the broccoli rolling onto the floor, says no to his drink, the banana. So I pick him up out of his chair, wash his hands, his face and hold him to me as we walk upstairs. Up there, he is a different boy, quiet and happy. I runContinueContinue reading “#53”
#52
We sit there and watch them, us five, as the sand martins dip and dive towards their home. The young wait at the door, their heads peeping out. Across the river from them, I sit with my young tribe And think how fast the time has gone, And how they have grown. These three beautiesContinueContinue reading “#52”
#51
I can just remember now, if I close my eyes, the feel of that electric blue water, my hands pushing it aside as I swam, I can feel the wet steam being pulled slowly, into my lungs. I can smell the hot wood, feel it burn against my back as I lie down on theContinueContinue reading “#51”