48. You live in a town that likes to festival. Back in 1861 the first was founded, an agriculture and cheese show that celebrated country life. For a long time it was held in the small show ground within the town, its gentle slopes filled with stalls to supply all your country needs, cattle andContinue reading “…the collective thought of snow”
Category Archives: memoir
…a bed of many things
‘Then here again are two lovers, flesh pressed to flesh … their bed heaves as with the swell of the sea, whispers and sways, as if it were itself alive and joyful because it was seeing the consummation of the rapturous mystery of love.’from Le Lit, by Guy de Maupassant 47.The bed is a placeContinue reading “…a bed of many things”
…a hole in the wall
45. The first time you lived alone was in an attic bedsit in Laura Place, Bath. Your window overlooked the rugby field and you shared a cold bathroom with the woman across the hall. You were nineteen years old, and for many years you’d longed for solitude and freedom, but now that it was hereContinue reading “…a hole in the wall”
…things that make you smile
42. Children when they’re far away. The smell of a vinyl record as you slide it out of its sleeve, placing it on the turntable to watch the undulating grooves, the crackling moment when the needle touches down. Worms (the earth variety, not tape or thread). Beginning a new teaching semester, the promise of newContinue reading “…things that make you smile”
…the tree: in five parts (5)
41. Part 5 Growth of the whole ‘Most trees have spurts of growth to coincide with favourable climatic conditions. Typically, growth will stop when the weather becomes too cold or dry and the tree will enter an inactive period. During this time, buds are formed to protect the tree’s internal tissues, and once favourable conditionsContinue reading “…the tree: in five parts (5)”
…the tree: in five parts (3)
39. Part 3 Crown of emotions ‘The ‘crown’ of the tree is made up of the branches and leaves. In deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves), there can be hundreds of thousands of leaves. The Royal Forestry Society estimates that a mature oak tree will produce and shed around 250,000 leaves each year.’ BranchesContinue reading “…the tree: in five parts (3)”
…the tree: in five parts (2)
38. Part 2 Roots of the mind ‘…trees utilise roots to extract water and nutrients from the surrounding area, as well as to anchor themselves in the ground. While most water is absorbed by the roots nearest the surface, some trees extend a ‘taproot’ deep into the soil. Roots can also play a part inContinue reading “…the tree: in five parts (2)”
…the herb garden
34.After he is gone the loss empties you of feeling, so you stand in the herb garden every night to smoke one cigarette. He was taken away before anything began so you aren’t mourning the loss of what you had, you are mourning what can never be. Except, of course, that’s not entirely true. HeContinue reading “…the herb garden”
…new shoots
32.rhizome [rahy-zohm] noun • botanyA rootlike subterranean stem, growing horizontally along or under the ground and producing roots and leaves — Such as bamboo, water lilies, lotus, ginger, turmeric. — Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and both have medicinal qualities, turmeric soothing inflammation and anxiety, ginger a balm for the stomach. WhenContinue reading “…new shoots”
…the dive
31.— Your father taught you to dive at an early age, first sitting you at the edge of the pool, arms pointing like a giant beak, encouraging you to tip gently into the water. You don’t remember the transition from sitting to standing but at some point, when the fear had gone, you would haveContinue reading “…the dive”
Sally Gander 