Good morning folks,
amidst the heat, a couple of waterborne haiku to keep you cool…
Splay
Mist-borne, gully-birthed.
A glance below, a damp breath…
White splayed over grey.
Spate
River-worn and time-scoured.
Cast aside by spates gone by.
Waiting for Fall’s rush.
Things I’ve read this week
One of the benefits of being part of Ayr Writer’s Club over the past year has been being introduced to other authors’ writing. It really is a talented group of people, demonstrated by the awards won at the Scottish Association of Writers 2021. Marion Husband’s ‘Explore Govan‘ is a product of one such writer. I lived within spitting distance of Govan for five years, and there are myriad gems in this little book which surprised me. Marion’s tour takes us from Govan Ferry to the Riverside Museum, from Elder Park Library to Govan Old Parish Church. There are so many things that I drove past on a daily basis with a past, a story. Marion brings these buildings and their history to life. This is a fantastic book for those visiting the area, and indeed for those more au fait with Govan.
E.E.Rhodes’ ‘Self/Less‘ won the Federation of Writers Vernol Equinox competition, and it’s easy to see why. In form and language, it really is a beautiful piece of writing – five minutes of your life well spent.
*Thanks for reading, folks. Images are my own and are taken from near Steall Falls, Glen Nevis. My recent writing includes ‘Night at Kinlochleven‘ and ‘HMS Cleopatra‘.
Matthew Richardson is a writer of short stories. His work has featured in Gold Dust magazine, Literally Stories, Close to the Bone, McStorytellers, Penny Shorts, Soft Cartel, Whatever Keeps the Lights On, Flashback Fiction, Cafelit, and Shooter magazine. He is a doctoral student at the University of Dundee, a lucky husband, and a proud father. He blogs at www.matthewjrichardson.com and tweets at https://twitter.com/mjrichardso0.
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Delightful, Matthew! No need to cool down here though as another Cape storm rolls in. I’ll check out your recommendations later. 🙂
Oh no Chris hope the SA weather improves!
It’s winter and we need the rain! I don’t mind (well, only a bit). 🙂
That E.E. Rhodes piece is extraordinary. Chilling, terrifying. I’m reminded of the film, ‘Iris’.
Brilliant isn’t it?!
Very much so!
Beautifully penned as usual. Happy Writing. Happy Reading.
Thanks Goff. Same back at you!
Pleasure. Thanks.
Nice flow! Nothing is better than unforced haiku!
Thanks so much. Very kind of you!
Very nice imagery in your words!
Thanks Chris. Did some lovely walks o holiday so thought I’d make the most of them!
enjoyed them both. Matthew; had to look up ‘spates’ 🙂
Yeah wasn’t sure whether that could be plural, but Meriam and Webster assured me that it could! Thanks John.
Love this pairing, Matthew. Seem nearly perfect, your splay and spate wordplay!
Thanks Annie. Didn’t have to look too far for inspiration up in Fort William!