(untitled) Young genius Lucius Dalworthy climbed from his Subterranean Tunneller, straightened his top hat, and strode into the underground chamber. ‘Surrender!’ he cried. ‘There is no escape for you now!’ Standing amid the steam and dust, Cressida Mandeville – his equally young and equally brilliant arch-enemy – raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s odd. I was just […]
Trail of Treachery Young genius Lucius Dalworthy climbed from his Subterranean Tunneller, straightened his top hat, and strode into the underground chamber. ‘Surrender!’ he cried. ‘There is no escape for you now!’ Standing amid the steam and dust, Cressida Mandeville – his equally young and equally brilliant arch-enemy – raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s odd. I […]
The Star of Hope Young genius Lucius Dalworthy climbed from his Subterranean Tunneller, straightened his top hat, and strode into the underground chamber. ‘Surrender!’ he cried. ‘There is no escape for you now!’ Standing amid the steam and dust, Cressida Mandeville – his equally young and equally brilliant arch-enemy – raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s odd. […]
The Mittenfish Lives Did you know that tinned food was available thirty years before the invention of the tin opener? In much the same spirit, my feelings for Avery Whitbread exploded into being long, long before Avery had any idea that I existed. For some queer and inexplicable reason, I loathed her: a vicious, voracious […]
Growth of Perfection by Sharon Du (13) The first buds, awkward little calluses on The stringy branch, whispering winter Leaves rustle around them in quiet applause Gradually, they swell and bulge, their shell Breaking, straining around them Until they reveal technicolour Bright pink pigments, soft layers Sleeping bag spilling, unfurling Crystal dew studding pastel, pristine […]
Yasi at her finest by Rachel Harries (17) White ghosts in uniform Propel the washing line. The echo of Yasi’s wrath Whispers with some divine Gentleness that only the trees Can capture. A tinkling wind chime Long forgotten in branches Of a young child’s plaything. The slow breathing crunches Almost autumn leaves, Softening […]
Clouds by Hannah Walker (17) Pistachio green cardigans invite seated contemplation. Spread out on the grass, the colours clashing like infant siblings. Sitting down gently, the cold of the ground seeps up through my clothes. Sitting, perfectly arranged, so that arms and body form a triangle with the ground. Sitting, breathing, wondering. Leaning, until I’m […]
He folded his belongings in the tangerine sunset by Meryl Perez (20) My grandfather had fat calluses on his fingers and toes. His hands flexed into a skeleton of veins that were verdigris on his brass skin. He would wake up before the sun could tan the streets and would split the bursting seam of […]
auf wiedersehen spiegeltent by Zenobia Frost (24) 1. the circus is gone big top stripped to bone wide-load giraffe skeleton canters in smoke and hammers collapses collapses ghosts of their shimmering crushed into clay at first light we steal glances carnies disguised as men unravel canvas for one last act The Great Vanishment 2. we […]
Leaving a moribund behind by Anders Villani (22) Now turbid cooling towers and cliff-top chateaus flash by, now gluts of steam scud over my windscreen; the stone villas and bicycles, the rusted ships reposing in the yard, the fog in the foothills of Le Mugel – edifices called from screaming silence. Call me the lap […]
