If There Were WaterDirty and battered, a white van bumps and grinds along the track. Its driver, probably on his way home from a few beers in the village and a trip to the local builder’s yard,...

The dog at the FuneralThe dog was unusually quiet,in fact he was out of character.As we prayed the rosary, he watched us loop the beads without snappingin his usual unholy manner.My grandmother...

The difference between boys and girlsThe girls run ahead;Leaping gazelles,Across the road and they’re off,Looking eighteen but probably thirteen.The boys drag behind;Unruly seagulls,Jostling and...

CollisionThey lift me out from the wreckage, slowly floating in and out  of the leavening.I sit with my back to the wall, sun just beginning to warm. Somewhere behind me, the sea slipsfearless...

Slow DownI remember it nowit wasn’t Pink Floydit was Sabbath you enjoyedwhen I mentioned it,when I mentioned Ozzy at that concert of his in Wembley& you played it loudlyas we lay backon your...

Small-Screen Romancefor P.C.Saturday nights we’d talk dirty, your wordsdingy, double-edged, every third onestanding in for sex and fury – come the fuck in,you Oxbridge twat, you will fuckingsee me...

Living Shadows   The flames burned high, lending a tremulous luminescence to the paper screen.  On our side all was darkness.  My baby sister’s hand was hot in mine; she drew comfort...

Fairy Tales  In your telling of it, that farm cottageheld all the detailed charmof a painting - the sun purringagainst its white walls, its half-dooropening onto a yard of hens, anda tractor...

I understand the concept of synchronicity – I mean my favourite movies are always brought up in my favourite TV shows. That means I’m doing something right, right?   Today I ate more pasta than...

Sunday Afternoon Conjuring Our memories, black backwash,buckle me this afternoon, my silent discourse with youdarkens the day.I shove you within the holes of my bones,but you slip out, and I’m...